Tajik president officially launches construction of Rogun Dam
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 29 October 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Tajik president officially launches construction of Rogun Dam, 29 October 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a19f4.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 29, 2016
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon at the site of the Rogun Dam on October 29.
Tajikistan has officially started the construction of the Rogun Dam, a massive project that, if completed, would be the world's tallest and should give the Central Asian nation a stable energy supply.
Italian construction conglomerate Salini Impregilo won a $3.9 billion contract to build the structure, whose opening ceremony on October 29 was attended by President Emomali Rahmon.
At this inaugural event, explosions were used to block the main riverbed of the Vakhsh River, marking the first substantial step toward building the dam.
The Rogun plant is slated to start generating power by late 2018.
The ceremony came a day after a malfunction at Tajikistan's biggest hydro-power plant caused a nearly three-hour blackout across the country.
Tajikistan, one of the poorest former Soviet republics, is heavily dependent on hydroelectric power and regularly experiences electricity outages.
Authorities say the Rogun Dam will be able to provide electricity for the whole country. They say the dam could also provide parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan with cheap electricity.
Uzbekistan has voiced concern that the dam in Southern Tajikistan will reduce water flows to its cotton fields..
With reporting by Tohir Safarov
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
