{"id":64192,"date":"2026-05-31T09:11:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T09:11:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=64192"},"modified":"2026-05-31T09:39:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T09:39:37","slug":"the-rogun-dam-of-tajikistan-energy-sufficiency-for-the-state-support-for-the-neighboring-republics-by-tazeen-akhtar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/the-rogun-dam-of-tajikistan-energy-sufficiency-for-the-state-support-for-the-neighboring-republics-by-tazeen-akhtar\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rogun Dam of Tajikistan : Energy Sufficiency for the State | Support for the Neighboring Republics – by Tazeen Akhtar"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Tazeen Akhtar from the Site of the Project<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The international media representatives and experts participating in Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action \u201cWater for Sustainable Development, 2018\u20132028\u201d visited the site of Rogun Dam Hydro Power Project HPP, a massive project that, on completion would be the world\u2019s tallest and should give the Central Asian nation a stable energy supply.<\/p>\n

They had a detailed briefing on the construction and related affairs from the project officials. They were taken to different sections of the project to see the work with their own eyes and ask questions for their information.<\/p>\n

President Emomali Rahmon officially inaugurated the main construction of the Rogun Dam project in October 2016, preceded by earlier groundbreaking ceremonies and significant milestones, such as early-generation turbine launches that began in November 2018.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

President watched as the rotor of Unit 6 came to life in the dam\u2019s power house in the presence of government officials and foreign dignitaries, including World Bank Vice President, Europe and Central Asia Cyril Muller, Italian Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Manlio Di Stefano and Salini Impregilo CEO Pietro Salini.<\/p>\n

\"\"The Rogun Dam is expected to generate up to 14.4 TWh annually, doubling country\u2019s power generation capacity. It will generate 3,780 MW, roughly equivalent to three nuclear reactors. The cost is estimated approximately $6.29 billion, with financial backing by investment consortium spearheaded by the World Bank.<\/p>\n

It is an under-construction embankment dam on the Vakhsh River, designed to be the tallest in the world at 335 meters. Scheduled for full completion around 2028\u20132029, the mega-project will feature six turbines and produce up to 3,780 MW of electricity.<\/p>\n

It is being constructed on Vakhsh River in southern Tajikistan, approximately 110 km from Dushanbe. Vakhsh\u00a0is a powerful glacial waterway and a major tributary of the Amu Darya<\/strong> river. Surkhob river is a major tributary to Vakhsh in Central Asia formed by the confluence of the Kyzyl-Suu and Muksu rivers. It runs through central Tajikistan, eventually merging with the Obihingou to become the Vakhsh River.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fed by massive glaciers, the basin generates approximately 29 % of Tajikistan\u2019s river runoff, playing a vital role in regional hydropower and national agriculture. <\/span>In a massive expansion of regional connectivity, China and Tajikistan are constructing a $60 million, 920 meter-long bridge across the river, which is slated to be Central Asia’s longest.<\/span><\/p>\n

The hieght of the Dam is expected to be 335 meters (1,099 feet) with an impermeable clay core. More than 19 thousand workers are engaged in the construction. It is environment friendly project that will add to the safety of ECO system in the country and around.<\/p>\n

Initially proposed in 1959, construction originally began in 1976 during the Soviet era.Delays: Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, construction stalled and floodwaters destroyed much of the early work in 1993. Building on technical assistance, the World Bank approved the Sustainable Financing for Rogun HPP Project, which became effective in December 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"The Tajik government restarted the project in 2016, contracting Italian firm Webuild to drive the structure\u2019s completion. The first turbine began operations in November 2018. Construction continues to progress steadily, with the dam continually reaching higher elevation milestones to boost electricity output and reservoir capacity.<\/p>\n

The dam is viewed as essential for solving the persistent winter power shortages affecting roughly 70% of the Tajik population. Once fully operational, it will allow Tajikistan to export surplus clean energy to neighboring nations like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, aiding the broader Central Asian transition to renewable energy.<\/p>\n

Backed by international partners, including the World Bank, the project continues to serve as a massive catalyst for Central Asian economic growth, infrastructure, and job creation.
\nAccording to WB, the project is a unique opportunity to achieve energy security, spur economic growth, and improve people\u2019s lives through the Rogun Hydropower Project (HPP), a major new source of clean electricity that is being built on the country\u2019s Vakhsh River. It has the potential to transform Tajikistan\u2019s economy while also benefiting the neighboring countries of Central Asia.<\/p>\n

\"\"The World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank funded technical assistance to help set up the project\u2019s financing framework, build government capacity to manage the project, strengthen dam safety and other technical aspects of construction, and plan for environmental and social risks\u2014as well as the ways that the project\u2019s revenues can benefit Tajikistan\u2019s people.<\/p>\n

The Rogun HPP will become the main pillar of Tajikistan\u2019s electricity system, providing 10 million people with better access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity. And with about 70% of the energy generated to be exported to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, it will serve as an anchor for a regional electricity market in Central Asia, alleviating energy shortages as demand grows and supporting the shift toward renewable energy.<\/p>\n

The project\u2019s large reservoir is also being built in line with regional water-sharing agreements: it will help neighboring countries mitigate the risk of flooding and access a more reliable water supply for irrigation and domestic use.<\/p>\n

The dam is currently moving closer to its final height, with parts of the project already online to supply winter electricity and improve seasonal deficits. Tajikistan aims to achieve full energy independence by 2027. Experts say the Dam could also provide parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan with cheap electricity.<\/p>\n

The Rogun HPP was a source of intense regional tension in the past but now it is widely viewed by international institutions as a vital green-energy asset. It was once a major diplomatic friction point between Tajikistan and downstream Uzbekistan, but the leaders of both sides continuously remained engaged and sorted out all the differences amicably.<\/p>\n

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan now view the plant as essential for meeting growing energy demands and have agreed to purchase surplus clean energy.<\/p>\n

Pakistan in the World \u2013 June 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n