In his New Year's address to the Parliament of Tajikistan, President Emomali Rahmon announced that, starting May 2027, the country will completely eliminate its electricity deficit and achieve full energy independence. He attributed this to the increase in electricity production at Rogun HPP and other existing power plants, as well as the construction of new facilities, Asiaplus.tj reports.
Rahmon noted that work is ongoing on the reconstruction and modernization of Nurek and Kayrakkum HPPs, as well as the construction of Sebzor HPP, with a total investment of 7.6 billion somoni ($691 million). This, according to him, will increase the country’s energy capacity by 180 megawatts in 2025 alone.
"In addition," he stated, "construction of a 200 MW solar power plant will begin in Sughd Region in 2025."
Rahmon also emphasized that construction of the Rogun HPP is progressing at an accelerated pace, with almost 50% of the work completed.
To finance the completion of Rogun HPP, $3 billion in preferential funds is being attracted from international financial organizations and development partners, including $1.2 billion in grants.
Six donor agreements have already been signed for a total of $1 billion, including $350 million in grants. "Their investments will begin in 2025," he added.
Tajikistan’s Ministry of Energy Confirms Plans
A few days later, the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan supported Rahmon’s statement in a publication on the state news agency “Khovar”.
The ministry emphasized that alongside modernization and new construction, the efficiency of the Vakhsh Cascade HPPs will improve as the water level in the Rogun reservoir rises.
The government is also focusing on renewable energy sources. By 2030, the capacity of such stations is expected to reach 1,500 MW, with some coming online by 2027.
According to the ministry’s forecasts, Tajikistan’s current power generation capacity stands at 22 billion kWh per year. In the coming years, production is expected to rise by 8 billion kWh, reaching 30 billion kWh annually.
Another key initiative is reducing electricity losses.
In the first nine months of 2024, total electricity losses amounted to 3.3 billion kWh, out of 17.2 billion kWh generated—equivalent to 19.4% of total production, meaning nearly one-fifth of all generated energy was lost.
"Reducing electricity losses is a priority goal, and various projects are being implemented in this direction," the ministry stressed.
Projects to reduce losses are currently underway in Dushanbe, Panjakent, Istaravshan, Isfara, Kanibadam, Buston, Kulob, Bokhtar, and Dangara District. The ministry expects that by 2027, all consumers in the country will be equipped with smart meters.
"The implementation of these projects will turn losses into efficient electricity," the Ministry of Energy of Tajikistan concluded.
CentralAsianLIGHT.org
January 14, 2025