The contribution of the People's Republic of China to the economic development of the Republic of Tajikistan as a strategic and investment partner is of primary importance.
In the energy sector alone, 35 investment projects have been implemented in Tajikistan under financial support of China since Tajikistan got its independence. China has invested more than 57.2 billion somonis (over $5.3 billion) in Tajikistan’s energy sector. This information was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan.
Among the energy projects funded by the People's Republic of China are the Dushanbe-2 combined heat and power (CHP) plant, the 500 kV substations "Dushanbe-500," "Sughd-500," the 500 kV power lines "South-North" (263.8 km), "Roghun-Dushanbe" (198 km), the 220 kV substations "Lolazor," "Khatlon," "Ayni," "Shahriston," "Shahrinav," and the 220 kV power lines "Lolazor-Khatlon," "Khujand-Ayni." The Export-Import Bank of China has allocated $880 million in concessional loans for the implementation of these projects. In addition, direct investments by Chinese companies in Tajikistan's energy sector reportedly amount to $197 million.
The following Chinese companies, Power Construction Corporation of China Limited (Power China), the electrical and photovoltaic company TBEA Company Limited, one of the world's largest telecommunications companies, Huawei, and the energy company Sinohydro International Engineering, are reportedly active in Tajikistan’s electric-power industry. Additionally, the transformer equipment manufacturer Pinggao Group Co Ltd, one of the largest electronics producers, Shenzhen Kaifa Technology, and others have participated in the implementation of state investment projects as contractors and equipment suppliers.
In the oil and gas sector of Tajikistan, cooperation has been established with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). This company has researched and taken 407 samples of geological material in the southwestern part of Tajikistan. Based on the results of geological exploration, geophysical work is currently being carried out over an area of 14,800 square kilometers, and seismic surveys are set to begin in late July 2024.
In the past year, memorandums on the development of renewable energy sources have been signed with TBEA and Powerchain. Under these agreements, the study and construction of wind and solar power plants are being considered, and the companies intend to finance and build a series of solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 1500 MW in Tajikistan. China is already working on the construction of solar power plants in the Panj and Danghara free economic zones (FEZs) with a total capacity of capacity of 1000 MW, investing US$400 million.
Experts note that the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Dushanbe will give new impetus to Tajikistan-China cooperation in the energy sector.
