DUSHANBE, January 29, 2015, Asia-Plus — According to Barqi Tojik (a state-owned power utility company), approximately 158 million Euros are needed for full rehabilitation of the Qairoqqum hydroelectric power plant, which is the only large power generating facility in the northern Sughd province.
An official source at Barqi Tojik say they plan to replace the hydro-mechanical and electrical equipment. “We plan to replace all six turbines and generators, transformers and plant’s management system as well as to modernize the dam,” the source said.
According to him, after modernization the power plant’s generating capacity will increase by 48-50 MW.
We will recall that in its largest project in Tajikistan to date, and one of the largest in the country’s energy sector, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) last year provided a US$50 million loan to fund the first phase of the modernization of the Qairoqqum hydropower plant.
Built in 1957, the plant is the only electricity generating facility in northern Tajikistan and supplies energy to over 500,000 homes in the Sughd region.
The total cost of the ERBD-supported project is approximately US$ 75.7 million. The EBRD loan will be complemented by US$ 21 million in donor funds – a US$ 10 million loan and a US$ 11 million grant – from the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) under the Climate Investment Funds (CIF). The remaining US$ 4.7 million includes additional donor financing provided by the governments of Austria and the United Kingdom, and the EBRD’s Shareholder Special Fund for consultancy services.
The EBRD Dushanbe Resident Office notes that the first phase of the upgrade program will increase the plant’s current capacity from 126MW to 142MW with the installation of two new and larger turbines. This will prevent wasteful water spills and generate more electricity with the same flow of water, increasing the plant’s efficiency. The investment will also finance the installation of upgraded equipment that will raise safety levels and strengthen the plant’s resilience against the impacts of climate change.
In addition, financing will be used for the ongoing restructuring of Barqi Tojik. The funds will help to improve the operational and financial performance of the company.
