Tajikistan Announces Preliminary Selection for 200-MW Solar Power Plant Project

Tajikistan's Ministry of Energy and Water Resources has announced the results of the preliminary selection process for the project to build a 200-MW solar power plant in the northern Sughd Region of the country.

"Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, France's EDF, and China/Tajikistan's Universal Energy Co. Ltd. & TGEM have been selected for the next stage resulting from a comprehensive assessment based on technical potential, financial stability, as well as legal and organizational compliance," the ministry's press center said, The Caspian Post reports citing Interfax.

As noted, the candidates included in the short list will receive a request for proposals directly.

As reported, Tajikistan plans to boost domestic capacity to generate electricity to 10 GW by 2030, thus the country plans to implement large hydropower projects and solar and wind power projects with capacity of at least 1.5 GW. Hydroelectric power plants currently generate around 98% of the country's electricity each year.

It has also been reported that the China Datang energy company plans to construct a solar power plant with capacity up to 500 MW in Tajikistan's Sughd Region. The company would also like to establish a plant to manufacture solar panels in southern Tajikistan.

Other Chinese companies have demonstrated interest in implementing renewable energy projects in Tajikistan. Eging PV Technology Co. Ltd would particularly like to construct a solar power plant totaling $1.5 billion in the south of Tajikistan. The station would presumably be built in four stages, with capacity of the first stage estimated at 200 MW, and investments at $150 million.

TGEM (Tajikhydroelectromontazh) constructs hydropower and infrastructure facilities. The company's website indicates that the company has particularly participated in implementing projects to construct the dam of the first stage of the Rogun hydroelectric power station, as well as the CASA-1000 (Central Asia-South Asia) transboundary high-voltage power line. The company is currently carrying out a number of operations as part of the project to construct the small, 11-MW Sebzor hydroelectric power station, as well as operations as part of the project for rehabilitate the Nurek hydroelectric power station.