Tajikistan’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources has signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with China’s Xinjiang Shouhai Power Development Co., Ltd. to explore the potential for building hydropower plants on the Obikhingov River. The ministry announced the agreement on its official website.
The memorandum was signed in Dushanbe on October 14, on the sidelines of the “Tajikistan, Forward!” business forum. The signatories were Energy and Water Resources Minister Daler Juma and Chen Zhengjiang, head of the Chinese company.
The agreement provides for cooperation in assessing the river’s hydropower potential and exploring opportunities to build new power plants. However, the ministry has not disclosed the number or capacity of the proposed plants, the estimated investment or a timeline for implementation.
For now, the agreement signals an intention to study potential projects rather than the start of construction.
Which hydropower plants have been proposed for the Obikhingov?
The Obikhingov is a mountain river in eastern Tajikistan that joins the Surkhob River to form the Vakhsh. It is considered a promising site for hydropower development.
According to the Ministry of Energy, the combined hydropower potential of the Surkhob and Obikhingov river basins is estimated at 36.32 billion kWh per year. Of this, 16.46 billion kWh is considered technically feasible and economically viable for development.
Earlier assessments identified five potential hydropower plant sites on the Obikhingov River:
- Sangvor — 800 MW;
- Urfatin — 850 MW;
- Shtiyen — 600 MW;
- Nourobod-2 — 200 MW;
- Nourobod-1 — 160 MW.
Together, the five projects would have a planned capacity of 2,610 MW and generate an estimated 7.76 billion kWh of electricity annually.
However, ministry materials prepared to present Tajikistan’s hydropower potential to foreign partners list different capacities for the Nourobod projects: 200 MW for Nourobod-1 and 160 MW for Nourobod-2.
It remains unclear which sites the Chinese company intends to study and whether its plans correspond to the previously identified projects.
Why does Tajikistan need new hydropower plants?
Hydropower development remains a priority for Tajikistan, which has substantial water resources but requires significant investment, infrastructure and modern technology to fully exploit its potential.
One of the country’s largest energy projects is the Roghun Hydropower Plant. The government has been seeking financing from international financial institutions to complete its construction.
In September 2024, President Emomali Rahmon said that more than 42.5 billion somoni from the state budget and other sources had been allocated to the Roghun project since 2008.
Developing the Obikhingov’s hydropower potential could increase electricity generation and expand Tajikistan’s export opportunities. However, the projects’ implementation will depend on feasibility studies, financing and compliance with environmental and social requirements.