Tajikistan unveils draft agreement for long-term electricity supply from Rogun HPP to Kazakhstan.
A draft document outlining the key parameters of energy cooperation between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan has been published on the Ministry of Justice of Tajikistan's legal information portal, according to Eurasiatoday.ru.
Terms of Electricity Supply
The draft specifies that electricity will be transmitted via interstate power lines, factoring in the technical capabilities of transit through neighboring countries. Key terms include:
- Contract Duration: 20 years with an option to extend for an additional 10 years.
- Delivery Periods: Electricity will be supplied during periods of deficit in the North-South zone of Kazakhstan's Unified Energy System.
- Transit: Rogun HPP JSC will be responsible for delivering electricity to the Kazakhstan border.
- Price: A fixed rate of 3.4 cents per kWh, including VAT at a 0% rate.
Estimated Supply Volumes
The document emphasizes that the indicated supply volumes are preliminary and do not impose binding obligations until formally approved. This flexibility allows the agreement to adapt to the parties' actual needs and capabilities.
Advancing Energy Cooperation
The contract aims to strengthen energy ties between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan while supporting the development of renewable energy in the region. This agreement is expected to enhance the energy resilience of both countries and foster greater integration in Central Asia.
Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP) Overview
The Rogun HPP is the largest hydroelectric project in Central Asia, located on the Vakhsh River in Tajikistan. It is crucial for the country's energy independence and export potential.
Key Features:
- Construction began in 1976 but faced delays due to political and economic challenges, resuming actively in 2008.
- The first turbine was launched in November 2018, with full project completion slated for 2035.
- The planned capacity is 3,600 MW (six turbines of 600 MW each).
- The reservoir's total capacity is 13.3 billion cubic meters, essential for regulating the Vakhsh River's flow for both hydropower and irrigation.
- Its dam, at a projected height of 335 meters, will be the tallest in the world, designed as a rockfill dam with a clay core.
Upon completion, the Rogun HPP will generate up to 17 billion kWh of electricity annually, meeting Tajikistan's domestic needs and enabling exports to neighboring countries.
Significance of Rogun HPP
- Energy Independence: The HPP will resolve Tajikistan's energy deficit, particularly in winter.
- Electricity Export: It creates opportunities for energy exports to Central and South Asia, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
- Water Resource Management: The reservoir will aid in managing water flow, crucial for regional agriculture.
- Environmental Benefits: The project focuses on renewable energy, reducing the carbon footprint.
Rogun HPP is not just a hydropower project but a strategic asset poised to significantly influence Tajikistan's economic development and that of Central Asia as a whole.
In 2023, the Tajik government allocated 2.5 billion somoni ($236 million), about 2% of the country's GDP, for Rogun HPP construction. This level of funding will be maintained until the project is completed in 2035.
CentralasianLIGHT.org,
November 20, 2024