Tajikistan to Construct 800 MW Khutalon Hydropower Plant on Vakhsh River
Tajikistan is advancing plans for the construction of the Khutalon hydropower plant – formerly known as the Shurob project – on the Vakhsh River. The facility is designed with an installed capacity of 800 MW. Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma recently inspected the proposed site, reviewing the designated areas for the dam and the turbine hall.
The new station will be integrated into the Vakhsh Cascade. According to the preliminary feasibility study, the dam will be situated in the riverbed between the nation’s two largest energy projects – the Rogun hydropower plant upstream and the Nurek plant downstream. Annual electricity generation is projected to exceed 2.5 billion kWh, with some estimates reaching 2.684 billion kWh.
To manage the project, a dedicated state enterprise was established in November 2025. This entity will serve as the project client and oversee the entire development cycle – from site preparation to the commissioning of the generating units.
Tajikistan’s energy infrastructure relies on hydroelectric power for more than 95% of its supply. This heavy dependence leaves the country susceptible to seasonal variations in water flow, resulting in frequent electricity shortages during the autumn and winter months. Data from the Ministry of Energy indicates a decline in production; in the first half of 2026, output reached 11.656 billion kWh, a 1.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2025. This situation is further complicated by technical grid losses, which have reached nearly 13% – or approximately 1.654 billion kWh.
Dushanbe is pursuing a comprehensive expansion of its generating capacity to meet domestic demand and eliminate winter blackouts. The 3,780 MW Rogun hydropower project remains the country’s most resource-intensive initiative. According to World Bank projections, Rogun will be capable of producing approximately 14.4 billion kWh annually once all units are operational. The development of the Khutalon plant is intended to supplement this capacity.
Simultaneously, the government is engaging international investors to develop solar power facilities with a combined capacity of 1,250 MW. The Ministry’s strategy aims for the complete elimination of hydrocarbon-based generation – with a target to transition the entire energy sector to renewable sources by 2032. The proposed hydropower plant on the Vakhsh River is a key component of this strategic transition.