en.Wedoany.com Reported - The World Bank's Executive Board has approved financing for the second phase of the Rogun Hydropower Plant project in Tajikistan, which is expected to become the country's largest power generation asset.

The second phase financing includes a $300 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA). This follows the first phase financing, which provided a $350 million grant. The latest funds will be used for civil works, electromechanical equipment for generators, and project implementation support, covering quality control, safety measures, and environmental and community programs, such as the relocation and livelihood restoration of affected families.

The financing also includes measures to strengthen monitoring and forecasting systems to improve reservoir operations and flood risk management for downstream communities.

The Rogun Hydropower Plant project is expected to create over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, improve access to affordable and reliable electricity for Tajikistan's approximately 10 million people, and increase renewable energy generation capacity in Central Asia.

Built by Webuild, the plant will generate 14,400 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually upon completion, accounting for about 60% of Tajikistan's current power generation. The project aims to address the chronic winter electricity shortage while supporting electricity exports to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and strengthening the regional power market.

Najy Benhassine, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia, stated that in addition to reducing chronic electricity shortages, the increased reliable power supply from the Rogun Hydropower Plant will help drive economic transformation in Tajikistan and create jobs. By increasing clean electricity supply, this transformative project will power homes, businesses, and public services, generating employment in the country.

Charles Cormier, World Bank Regional Director for Infrastructure in Europe and Central Asia, noted that by facilitating electricity exports, the Rogun Hydropower Plant will help revitalize the regional power market, enabling Central Asian countries to utilize their energy assets more efficiently. Strengthened regional interconnection is expected to reduce supply constraints in the region and help improve reliability and energy security.

According to the World Bank, the Tajik government has committed to implementing a benefit-sharing plan that will allocate a portion of project revenues to support vulnerable groups and strengthen existing social protection measures.

The World Bank leads the Rogun Hydropower Plant Coordination Group, which brings together development partners supporting the project's completion, including multilateral lending institutions and regional development funds from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Cormier described the financing approval as a significant milestone for the project, calling the Rogun Hydropower Plant central to Tajikistan's long-term energy vision. He stated that the project will become the main pillar of Tajikistan's power system, with an expected installed capacity of 3,870 megawatts, generating electricity equivalent to about 7% of Central Asia's current power output.