DUSHANBE, September 30, Asia-Plus – The summary of the techno-economic assessment of the Roghun Hydropower Project (HPP) has been published    

The proposed Roghun HPP is located on the Vakhsh River, approximately 110 km north-east of Dushanbe and about 80 km upstream of the existing Nurek dam.

Studies reportedly began in 1965 and Roghun project activities began in 1976; a significant volume of construction was developed, mostly underground works and surface facilities, until the activities were suspended following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Subsequently, additional studies were carried out until, in 2011, Barqi Tojik appointed the Consortium Coyne et Bellier / Electroconsult / IPA to conduct a Techno-Economic Assessment of Roghun HPP, which includes examining the adequacy of the selected site for the development of the proposed project, under World Bank funding and oversight.

According to the Hydroproject Institute of Moscow (HPI) design update of 2010, the project includes a 335 m high earthfill dam with a total volume of 71.4 Mm3.  The power generation facilities include six independent power waterways, an underground powerhouse in which 6 generating units (600 MW each) would be housed, the transformers cavern, six bus duct galleries, two cable galleries and the outdoor switchyard. The protection against floods, according to the original HPI design, was to be provided by a system of tunnels in both banks of the valley, i.e. three diversion tunnels, the third level operation tunnel and the remote tunnel spillway.

In consideration of the fact that most of the works were carried out 30 years ago and the construction activities were then stopped, as well as due to some problems that occurred in the intervening period, a thorough assessment of their present conditions was required.

The summary presents the Consultant’s assessment of the adequacy of the existing Roghun HPP works.

Based on the site inspections and the various analyses performed, it is reportedly concluded that, with the implementation of the proposed stabilization measures for the underground works, the existing works and electromechanical equipment can be used for the potential future development of the proposed project.

This assessment has been reviewed by the Government of Tajikistan, the Panels of Experts and the World Bank technical team.  It will be finalized after comments received from riparian counterparts and civil society stakeholders are reviewed and appropriately taken into account.

The techno-economic assessment of Roghun HPP is available on an official website of the Project Management Group for Energy Facilities under the President of Tajikistan.