(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) By Muhammad Al-Mumen



DUSHANBE, Sept 8 (KUNA) -- Preparations are underway in Tajikistan's southern city of Rogun for the much-anticipated grand ceremony to launch the second unit of Rogun Dam, a mega hydroelectric power plant project, scheduled for Monday under auspices and attendance of President Emomali Rahmon.

The first of six units in Rogun Dam was commissioned in November 2018. The projected USD 3.9 billion-worth project aims to double Tajikistan's energy production to eliminate domestic electrical shortages and export surplus electricity to neighboring countries such as Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"The project's goal is to solve the country's problem with electricity shortages during winter seasons, and export clean energy to neighboring countries," Anvar Rahmonov, Director of Production at Rogun Dam, stated to reporters on Sunday.

Constructed on the Vakhsh River in the Pamir Mountains under supervision of the Italian-based Salini Impergilo company, the rock-filled dam is expected to reach a total capacity of 3,600 MW through its six units, each of generates 600 MW, making Rogun the most powerful hydroelectric plant in Central Asia.

"There are more than 60 companies representing Tajikistan, Italy, and Germany are currently working in the dam," he noted, adding all works are being done with high quality and within the time schedule to supply the general population in Tajikistan with sufficient electricity.

The project, slated for completion by 2028, is expected to amount to 335 meters in height, becoming the tallest hydroelectric dam in the world. It would surpass in height China's Jinping-I Dam by 30 meters, and Tajikistan's own Norak Dam by 35 meters.

"So far, 70 percent of the work has been completed. The Second unit was achieved in a record time. As for the third unit, according to our plan, we expect to fully launch it between 2024 and 2025," Rahmonov told KUNA.

Initial construction on the dam began in 1976, during the Soviet era. It stalled in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union and outbreak of the civil war, which lasted until in 1997.

The project eventually resumed in 2016 when President Rahmon officially launched the construction of the dam. In 2018, the Tajik President oversaw the launch of the first unit at the Rogun Dam. (end) ma

MENAFN0809201900710000ID1098979492