The World Bank is ready to consider providing a $650 million loan to complete the construction of the Rogun hydropower plant (HPP), Deputy Minister of Finance of Tajikistan Yusuf Majidi said, Sputnik reports.
The decision is expected to be taken in September this year. Furthermore, the World Bank intends to help attract more investors. Majidi noted that more private investment will be attracted to complete the project starting from 2025. $250 million in soft loans have been allocated for the construction of this hydropower plant.
According to Majidi, talks are currently underway with the Islamic Development Bank and the Arab countries that can invest $550 million in the construction project.
The Rogun hydropower plant, located on the Vakhsh River 110 km from Dushanbe, is the largest hydropower plant in the region. Its capacity is estimated at 3,600 MW. The construction of the hydropower plant began in the Soviet times in 1976 but was suspended after the collapse of the USSR. In 2016, Tajikistan resumed construction, including through foreign investment.
To date, 2 of the 6 units with a capacity of 600 MW have been commissioned. The third unit is scheduled to be commissioned in 2025; all the 6 units of the plant are expected to be connected, and the project is expected to be completed in 2033.
