DUSHANBE, January 11, 2013, Asia-Plus — Modernization of the Varzob-1 hydroelectric power plant (HPP) has been completed and the plant now generates electricity in new volumes, Nozirjon Yodgori a spokesman Barqi Tojik (the state-owned utility responsible for generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Tajikistan), told Asia-Plus today.
According to him, the project has been implemented within the framework of the national program for modernization of the country’s hydropower facilities. “23 million U.S. dollars have been spent for full modernization of the Varzob-1 HPP,” Yodgori said.
Modernization has reportedly increased the capacity of each of the plant’s two units from 3.72 megawatts to 4.75 megawatts.
We will recall that during the visit of President Emomali Rahmon to India in August 2006, India announced rehabilitation and modernization of the Varzob-1 HPP through Indian companies Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and the National Power Corporation (NHPC). The Indian Government has awarded a US$17 million grant for implementation of the project.
The Varzob HPP-1 provides electricity and drinking water to the Varzob district. The system of the Varzob HPPs consists of three power stations. The largest is the HPP-2, with the capacity of 14.76 megawatts and the capacity of the HPP-3 is 3.52 megawatts. The Varzob HPP-1 was the first hydroelectric power plant commissioned in Soviet Tajikistan in 1936.
Yodgori added that modernization of Unit 4 at the Sarband HPP was completed this week. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has reportedly provided more than 14 million U.S. dollars for this project. The Sarband HPP was introduced into operation in 1963.
