Central Asia
Central Asia is known for its abundant hydropower potential driven by its extensive river systems and mountainous terrain. Central Asian nations, particularly Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, are keenly focused on leveraging this potential to enhance their energy security and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. If developed effectively and sustainably, hydropower can provide green, accessible and reliable electricity to the region.
Shokhdara River, Tajikistan, photo by Pamir Energy
Tajikistan
To unlock Tajikistan’s hydropower potential and electrify remote areas of the country, we have signed a cooperation agreement with Pamir Energy, Tajikistan’s first public and private partnership company, to incorporate sustainability principles in the design, planning and operation of hydropower projects in Tajikistan and Central Asia. Funded by the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) programme, this programme supported national and regional stakeholders to improve understanding and ownership of sustainable good practice in the region through the application of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.
Sebzor HPP building, 2022
Yavan Hydropower Project
The governments of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan have decided to develop and build jointly Yavan Hydropower Project on the Zarafshan river basin in northern Tajikistan. An Open Joint-Stock Company, TAUZ Hydro, was created for its development and construction.
As part of the capacity building programme in Tajikistan, HSA has conducted a self-assessment of the Yavan project to build regional expertise on the use of the HS Standard at an early stage to influence project planning. The assessment team consisted of experts from hydropower developers, construction and design companies and government representatives from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and lead by the Accredited Lead Assessor Joerg Hartmann.
Pamir Energy’s Sebzor hydropower project in Tajikistan became the world’s first project to be certified against the Hydropower Sustainability Standard. The project has been assessed three time, showcasing the company’s strong commitment and hard work towards sustainability. Over time, the project has made significant progress from having gaps against the minimum requirements to becoming the first-ever project certified against the HS Standard to earning Gold Certification.
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Assessments in the region
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