DUSHANBE, July 26, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Modernization of the Varzob-1 hydroelectric power plant (HPP) is expected to be completed in autumn this year.

Bahrom Azimov, the principal deputy director of Barqi Tojik (the state-owned utility responsible for generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Tajikistan), says the first unit of the Varzob-1 HPP will be reintroduced into operation in October this year and the plant’s second unit will be reintroduced into operation in November.  “The modernization has been going on for already three years but all the main works are already behind,” Azimov said.   

We will recall that during the visit of President Emomali Rahmon to India in August 2006, India announced rehabilitation and modernization of the Varzob-1 HPP through Indian companies Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and the National Power Corporation (NHPC).  

The Indian Government has awarded a US$17 million grant for implementation of the project.  

Modernization will increase the plants capacity from 7.4 to 9.4 megawatts, and will extend the operability of the hydroelectric generating complex for another 50 years.  The Varzob HPP-1 provided electricity and drinking water to the entire Varzob region and part of Dushanbe.  The system of the Varzob HPPs consists of three power stations.  The largest is the HPP-2, with the capacity of 14.76 megawatts. The capacity of the HPP-1 is 7.4 megawatts and of the HPP-3 -- 3.52 megawatts. The Varzob HPP-1 was the first hydroelectric power plant commissioned in Soviet Tajikistan in 1936.