WB to allocate $225 million for the Nurek HPP rehabilitation in Tajikistan
Almaty. May 4. Silkroadnews – The World Bank (WB) approved the allocation of more than $225 million for the rehabilitation of the Nurek hydropower plant in Tajikistan, the Tajik Telegraph Agency (TajikTA) reports.
“The World Bank has approved the financing of a rehabilitation project for the Nurek hydropower plant in Tajikistan to the amount of $225.7 million allocated from the International Development Association (IDA), one-quarter in grants and three-quarters in credits”, the report said.
The first phase of the HPP rehabilitation scheduled for 2017-2023 is estimated at $350 million.
The additional funding is said to be allocated from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank ($60 million), Eurasian Development Bank ($40 million) and other sources ($24 million).
Thus, the Tajik authorities will restore three generating units and replace six autotransformers used to regulate voltage of generated electricity ($310 million), enhance the dam safety with a special focus on protection against seismic hazards and floods ($30 million), strengthen the institutional capacity of OJSC “Barqi Tojik” improving its operational and financial performance ($10 million).
The Nurek hydropower plant, with an installed capacity exceeding 3,000 MW, is the key asset of Tajikistan’s energy system.
The proposed investment in rehabilitation will increase winter generation of electricity by 33 million kW/h and address the peak demand for electricity during the heating season in the period from November to March.
