The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is considering $500 million in financing for the construction of Tajikistan’s Roghun hydropower plant, including a $200 million grant and a $300 million concessional loan. The financing has not yet been formally approved.
The issue was discussed during talks between Tajikistan’s Finance Minister Fayziddin Qahhorzoda and representatives of the World Bank and the ADB in Bangkok, on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, Tajikistan’s Ministry of Finance reported.
The meeting was attended by Antonella Bassani, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, and Wempi Saputra, ADB Vice-President for Sectors and Themes.
The discussions reportedly focused on financing the Roghun project and coordinating the efforts of the two international financial institutions.
The parties also considered introducing a joint financing mechanism known as the Full Mutual Reliance Framework. The mechanism would allow the institutions to apply agreed requirements and procedures for project assessment, procurement and construction oversight.
According to the ministry, the approach is intended to reduce duplication of procedures and speed up the mobilization of funds for the project. However, the ministry’s statement did not confirm formal approval of the proposed $500 million package.
About the Roghun hydropower plant
The Roghun hydropower plant is being built on the Vakhsh River, approximately 110 kilometers from Dushanbe. Once completed, it is expected to have an installed capacity of 3,780 MW, with six generating units of 630 MW each and annual electricity output of around 14.4 billion kWh.
Two generating units were commissioned in 2018 and 2019 and are currently operating at reduced capacity.
The dam is designed to reach a height of 335 meters. According to the latest official figures cited in the project information, it has reached 190 meters, while more than 61% of the planned construction materials have been placed.
Since 2008, a total of 60.3 billion somoni from the state budget and other sources has been allocated to the project.
Under the updated project schedule, construction of the dam is expected to be completed in 2032, with the reservoir reaching its design level around 2036.