World Bank approves additional grant of $50 million for rehabilitation work of the Nurek hydropower plant in Tajikistan

The World Bank has approved an additional grant of $50 million on behalf of the International Development Association for the second phase of the Nurek Hydropower Rehabilitation Project in Tajikistan. The hydropower project has an installed capacity of over 3,000 MW and generates about 50 per cent of the total annual energy demand in Tajikistan. Currently, just three-quarters of its installed generation capacity is operational. The project is undergoing its first major rehabilitation since its commissioning in 1972. Once completed, it is expected that electricity generation from the project would increase by about 300 million kWh. This would help in meeting the energy demands of the country even during winter months. The World Bank will also provide capacity building to enhance dam safety, monitoring, and operations and management of hydro facilities.