Name of the Project
Nurek hydropower plant (HPP) rehabilitation project.

Location
The Nurek dam is located 30 km upstream of Baipaza dam, in Tajikistan.

Client
Barki Tojik, a State-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources.

Project Description
The Nurek dam, commissioned in 1972, is the highest embankment dam in the world at 300 m high.
The power plant has an installed capacity of 3 000 MW. However, owing to the vibration of the turbine’s generators and the fatigue on the runner’s metal, the plant has been running only at 2 320 MW. Without adequate rehabilitation, the available capacity could drop to 760 MW by 2030.

In addition, the sediment accumulation in the reservoir has resulted in a reduction of storage capacity.
The rehabilitation of Nurek HPP will be undertaken in two phases.

Phase 1 includes the rehabilitation of three units, the key infrastructural components of the power plant, the replacement of six autotransformers that are used to transfer the generated electricity, all the dam safety-enhancement-related measures and technical assistance to Barki Tojik.
Phase 2 will rehabilitate the remaining six units and the remaining balance of plant.

Jobs to Be Created
Not stated.

Value
The project is estimated at $700-million, with each phase costing about $350-million.

Duration
The project will be implemented over ten years. The first phase of the project will be implemented from 2017 to 2023. Preparations for the second phase will start in 2019.

Latest Developments
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has approved a $60-million loan that will assist Tajikistan in rehabilitating the Nurek HPP.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Usmonali Usmonzoda, tel +99237 235 35 66 or email uusmanov@gmail.com.