As part of his official visit to Uzbekistan, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon yesterday joined his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev in virtually launching the construction of the Yovon hydroelectric power plant (HPP) on the Zarafshon River in Tajikistan’s Sughd province.

According to the Tajik president’s official website, the ceremony of the virtual launch of the construction the hydropower plant with capacity of 140 megawatt took place in Kuksaroy Presidential Palace (Blue Palace), the official workplace of the President of Uzbekistan.  

At the same time, senior representatives of relevant ministries and agencies of both countries were at the site for construction of the mentioned HPP in the area near Yovon village in the Tajik northern district of Ayni.  

The Uzbek president’s press service says it is the first major project of the bilateral energy collaboration.

A modern plant with a capacity of 140 megawatts will play an important role in ensuring energy security, sustainability of the water and agricultural sectors of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Engineering work will be carried out entirely on the basis of modern standards with the involvement of experienced companies.  

The estimated budget for construction of this hydropower plant is 282 million U.S. dollars and it will generate up to 800 million kWh of electricity per year.  

Leading international financial institutions, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), reportedly showed interest in financing the project.

Uzbek media reports say the construction of the HPP will provide “green” energy to thousands of households and new enterprises.

The senior representatives of the Tajik Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) noted in January 2019 that Emomali Rahmon and Shavkat Mirziyoyev have reached an agreement on a joint construction of two hydropower plants in Tajikistan’s Sughd province.     

The project reportedly provides for construction of two hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 320 MW in the area.   .