World Bank Approves $300 Million Grant for Rogun Hydropower Project

The World Bank Board of Directors has approved a $300 million grant to fund the construction of the Rogun Hydropower Plant in Tajikistan. This investment supports the completion of the largest hydroelectric project in Central Asia. The funding aligns with the current national development strategy, and leadership has confirmed a commitment to finalize the construction of the station.

Completion of the facility is expected to fundamentally transform Tajikistan’s energy landscape. The project aims to eliminate seasonal electricity shortages that have affected consumers for years and facilitate the modernization of the regional power grid. Increased stable generation capacity is also viewed as a key mechanism for economic adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

The project requires a total investment of approximately $6.2 billion. For 2026, planned expenditures exceed $1 billion, with $480 million provided by the state budget and an additional $530 million sought from external sources – primarily international financial institutions.

Located on the Vakhsh River 110 kilometers from Dushanbe, the Rogun HPP has been under development since 1976. Work was suspended for several decades following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The plant is designed to house six units with a capacity of 600 MW each. The first two units, commissioned in 2018 and 2019, are currently operational and have contributed 10 billion kWh to the national power grid.

The launch of the third unit is scheduled for September 2027. Once all six turbines are operational, the Rogun HPP will reach an installed capacity of 3.78 GW. The structure includes a 335-meter embankment dam, which will be the highest of its type in the world.