China Eximbank pledges $200 million USD to construct Yavan hydroelectric power plant on Zarafshon River

On January 17, 2007, the Export-Import Bank of China and Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan signed an agreement for a $200 million USD loan for the construction of the 150 MW Yavan hydroelectric power plant on the Zarafshon River. The loan would have a maturity of 25 years and 1% annual interest rate. The total cost of the project was expected to be $260.5 million USD, comprised of the Chinese loan and a self-financing contribution of $60.5 million USD. Ferghana News reported that the power plant have a capacity of 150 MW with an annual output of 0.6 billion kilowatt-hours. The project also included the construction of a 60- kilometer, 220-kilovolt power transmission line to carry electric power from the HPS to sub-station Rudaki in the city of Panjakent. According to the blueprints provided by the Chinese, the hydroelectric power plant would producing enough for the entire Panjakent District the year round. The project sought to help mitigate Tajikistan's chronic electricity shortages. SinoHydro was awarded a contract to build the plant on January 18, 2007. Construction was scheduled to start in 2008 and last three years. However, a 2008 source noted that China may have been looking for alternative project, and it now appears that a loan agreement was never finalized and this project was never implemented.

Additional details

Zarafshon River is also spelled Zeravshan River. Panjakent is also spelled Penjikent.

Number of official sources

1

Number of total sources

12