Rogun Dam to be launched this autumn, but there are still some issues

The first turbine of the Rogun Dam, which is currently being built in Tajikistan, will be launched in November of this year. The second one will be launched in April of 2019. Ukrainian company is responsible fro installation, while Italian company works on construction. Builders believe that they will be able to finish their task within specified time, Zond News reported.

After it will be launched, it will generate arond 15-17 billion kW/h, which will make it the largest station in Central Asia and in the world, and Tajikistan - poorest country in the region - largest producer and seller in the region. Cheap Tajik electricity should be delivered to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

But situation is far from perfect. Issues with financing of the Rogun Dam and construction of power transmission lines haven't been resolved. Builders also have some problems. Press-service of the "Dnepr-SGEM" company reported some difficulties and said that it face poor conditions during assembly and construction, as well as drilling operations. It addition, due to disagreements with Uzbekistan and Russia few are ready to invest in this poject.

Total cost of this project is $3.9 billion. Dushanbe failed to create consortium for construction of the hydroelectric power station. Authorities took money from the poor at first, but the amount was not enough. Then they decided to issue Eurobonds. Revenues amounted to $500 million. According to official data, around $65 million has already been spent. The World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development refused to finance this project. Russia and China could provide financial assistance under certain conditions, but Tajikistan doesn't want to reach a compromise.

A number of specialists believe that if Tajikistan succeeds in launching two turbines, they won't work properly. Deliveries of Tajik electricity to Pakistan and India through Afghanistan in large amounts will be possible only after commissioning of the high-voltage transmission line, which is a part of the CASA-1000 regional project, as well as a number of other infrastructure energy facilities, construction of which hasn't begun yet.

Transmission line may be commissioned by 2022, but, as expert on Central Asia and Middle East Alexander Knyazev said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza, there are too many questions regarding the CASA-1000 project, which can't be resolved quickly.

"Technologically, it would be right if Tajikistan reached compromise with Uzbekistan and slightly changed project taking opinion of neighboring state into account. It's already impossible to stop the construction, but reducing the height of this dam, as well as the amount of generated energy, is still possible. Dushanbe continues to suffer from gigantomania - Rogun will be the highest dam - 335 meters. It seems that Tajik leaders just want to get into the Guinness Book of Records," Knyazev said.

According to him, Uzbekistan is worried about seismic, technogenic, and other issues. On the other hand, consensus in financial matters could help to resolve those problems. Let Uzbekistan become a shareholder with a significant share, which will give it the right to manage this project.

"There's no other way besides mutual concessions," Alexander Knyazev believes. At the same time, he noted that Afghanistan has refused to import energy from Rogun and is ready to be just a transit country. Afghan MPs and members of the government believe that import of Tajik electricity will hinder development of the country's own energy sector.