The capacity of the Kairakkum Dam in Tajikistan has increased after reconstruction
A large-scale reconstruction of the Kairakkum hydroelectric power station has officially been completed in Tajikistan. The solemn ceremony of commissioning the last three hydroelectric units, held on November 20, was attended by Head of State Emomali Rahmon. The full launch of all six units of the station marked the finale of a major project in the field of renewable energy, the implementation of which began in 2019.
As a result of the work carried out, the installed capacity of the Dam has increased from 126 MW to 174 MW. The updated station is now able to provide stable electricity to 500,000 residents of Sughd region. The technical part of the reconstruction included work to strengthen the concrete dam, the installation of new hydraulic steel components, turbines and modern electromechanical equipment.
Particular attention was paid to the issues of climate sustainability during the modernization. Tajikistan is among the countries most affected by global warming, and its hydropower sector, dependent on glacial hydrology, is extremely sensitive to these processes. The implemented innovative measures will allow the station to cope with changes in water resources. It is expected that this investment model, which increases energy sustainability, will be scaled both domestically and throughout the region.
The project was implemented thanks to a $196 million financing package organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The funds included an $88 million EBRD loan, a $37 million loan from the European Investment Bank, as well as grants and loans from the Green Climate Fund and Climate Investment Funds. The recipient of the financing was the state energy company Barki Tojik, and the governments of Austria and the United Kingdom also provided support. To date, the total volume of EBRD investments in the economy of Tajikistan has exceeded 1 billion euros in the framework of 188 projects.
Original (in Russian): Мощность Кайраккумской ГЭС в Таджикистане выросла после реконструкции
