The World Bank has approved an additional grant financing of USD 50 million from the International Development Association for the second phase of the Nurek Hydropower Rehabilitation Project in Tajikistan.
The Nurek hydropower project (HPP) has an installed capacity of over 3,000 MW and generates about 50 per cent of total annual energy demanded in Tajikistan. Currently just three-quarter of its installed generation capacity is operational. The HPP is undergoing its first major rehabilitation since its commissioning in 1972. Once completed, the rehabilitation will allow the Nurek HPP to increase electricity generation by about 300 million kWh. This will ensure that energy demands of the country are met even during the winter months.
The first phase of the rehabilitation work of the HPP was financed by the World Bank (USD225.7 million), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (USD60 million) and the Eurasian Development Bank (USD40 million). The first phase focused on rehabilitating three of the nine generating units, replacing and refurbishing hydromechanical equipment and the key infrastructural components of the power plant. The project’s second phase will finance the rehabilitation of the remaining six generating units, the Nurek bridge, the powerhouse, and other key buildings.
The World Bank will also provide capacity building to enhance dam safety, monitoring, and the operations and management of hydro facilities.
“The restoration of the generation capacity of the Nurek HPP is essential for ensuring energy security for the people of Tajikistan,” said Jan-Peter Olters, World Bank Country Manager in Tajikistan.
The total cost of the second phase of rehabilitation will be USD192 million. The Government of Tajikistan is currently finalizing discussions with other development partners to secure the additional resources apart from the grant received from the World Bank.
