DUSHANBE, November 26, 2014, Asia-Plus -- On Wednesday November 26, the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower house of parliament) ratified an agreement of commitment between Tajikistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a grant agreement between Tajikistan, Barqi Tojik and the EBRD, a loan agreement between Barqi Tojik and the EBRD, and a preferential loan agreement between Barqi Tojik and the EBRD.  All these documents concern the Qairoqqum Hydro Power Rehabilitation Project

Speaking at the Majlisi Namoyandagon session, First Deputy Finance Minister, Jaloliddin Nouraliyev, noted that funds provided by the EBRD would be spent for rehabilitation of hydro-mechanical and electrical equipment at the Qairoqqum hydro power plant in the northern Sughd province.

The Qairoqqum hydroelectric power plant (HPP) director Fayzullo Avezov said that the Qairoqqum HPP now meets only 18 percent of Sughd’s requirements in electricity while the remainder is covered by the Norak HPP.  

Under the project, the EBRD is considering providing financing for Phase I of the priority rehabilitation of hydro-mechanical and electrical equipment of two units out of six at the Qairoqqum hydro power plant.  The rehabilitation is expected to increase the currently installed capacity of the plant from 126MW to 142MW by installing two new turbines with greater rated capacity.  Turbines with greater capacity will prevent unnecessary discharge of water through spillways and generate more electricity with the same flow of water.  The project will also raise the safety level of the power plant and strengthen its resilience against the projected impacts of climate change.