Nurek Dam to increase capacity after large-scale modernization

After the modernization project is fully implemented, the design capacity of the Nurek Dam will increase from 3,000 to 3,375 megawatts. This was announced by the director of the Nurek Dam, Fazliddin Shoyddinov, to the Jumhuriyat newspaper.

Taking into account renewable energy sources and 375 megawatts of additional capacity that will be obtained as a result of the modernization, the operational capacity of the station will increase by 775 megawatts.

“With the completion of the complete modernization of the power plant, renewable and new capacities that will be created based on the use of advanced technologies will exceed the design capacity of the Sangtuda Dam-1, which is 670 megawatts,” he stressed.

Shoyiddinov added that in recent years, due to the wear and tear of the main equipment, the production capacity of the power plant has decreased, and the capacity of each unit has dropped to 2,600 megawatts.

“A 20-25-year technical warranty is valid for each piece of basic equipment. By the beginning of the independence period, most of the main equipment of the Nurek Dam had already passed the warranty period, began to wear out and required replacement,” he said.

The director of the Nurek Dam stressed that modernization work is currently underway at the power plant. According to the feasibility study, its total cost is more than 7 billion somoni.

The project is planned to be implemented in two stages within 10 years.

Shoyddinov recalled that in October 2022, after reconstruction, the first unit of the Nurek Dam was put into operation.

“It was within the first stage of the project. To date, 3.3 billion somoni have been attracted for its implementation,” the head of the power plant said.

As part of the first stage of the project, three more units, six transformers, an open switchgear will have to be replaced, as well as work to ensure the safety of the dam.

The second stage includes the replacement of the remaining 6 units, the reconstruction of the power plant building, as well as the purchase of necessary machinery and equipment.

Shoyiddinov noted that the successful completion of the modernization and reconstruction project means that the Nurek Dam will be revived and will serve the economy and the people of the country for many years to come.

Original (in Russian): Нурекская ГЭС увеличит мощность после масштабной модернизации