The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan expects to receive official confirmation of funding for the Roghun hydropower project (HPP) from international financial institutions and foreign development agencies accredited in the country in the coming month.
"Most of the funding sources have already been identified, and all development partners accredited in Tajikistan are involved in this project. Each of them has their own approval process that we must adhere to," Minister of Energy d Water Resources Daler Juma told reporters in Dushanbe on July 25.
"The approval process is lengthy, but the issue of funding the completion of the construction of the Roghun hydropower plant has been fully agreed upon with some partners. Official confirmation from others will arrive within the next month."
According to the minister, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have committed a total of US$250 million to the project.
The minister also refuted rumors about delays in the construction of the Roghun hydropower plant due to a lack of funding, noting that work has actually been accelerated.
He reiterated that the full implementation of the project will require at least US$6.2 billion.
As it had been reported earlier, the Board of Directors of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in late April this year approved allocation of US$150 million for the construction of the Roghun hydropower plant (Lot-4 – Left Bank Structures).
According to the Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan, the Government plans to allocate 5 billion somonis (US$456 million) for the Roghun plant’s funding in 2024: 2.2 billion somoni from external financing sources and the remainder from internal sources.
In 2023, 5.2 billion somonis were allocated for the Roghun HPP. According to Government’s calculations, more than 40 billion somonis have been directed to this project since 2008.
Recall, WeBuild (formerly Salini Impregilo) has been contracted to implement the Roghun hydropower project.
The first two generating units of the Roghun hydropower plant were introduced into operation in November 2018 and September 2019. The third unit is expected to be introduced into operation in 2025.
The hydropower plant is expected to have six turbines with combined capacity of 3600 MW. When complete, it is expected to produce 17.1 terawatt-hour (tWh) of electrical work per year.
If built as planned, the Roghun hydropower plant is expected to end chronic power shortages in Tajikistan and allow it to export electricity to neighboring countries.
