Rogun Dam

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title: "Rogun Dam" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["hydroelectric-power-stations-in-tajikistan", "dams-under-construction", "dams-in-tajikistan", "dams-on-the-vakhsh-river", "dam-controversies"] description: "Under-construction dam in southern Tajikistan" topic_path: "general/hydroelectric-power-stations-in-tajikistan" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogun_Dam" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Under-construction dam in southern Tajikistan ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox dam"]

Field	Value
name	Roghun Dam
location_map	Tajikistan
coordinates
dam_crosses	Vakhsh River
location	Southern Tajikistan
status	Under construction
dam_elevation_crest	1,232 m
dam_height	335 m
construction_began
opening	2018-2029
cost	US$2–5billion
builder	Webuild SpA
owner	Government of Tajikistan
res_capacity_total	13.3 km3
res_surface	110.7 km2
plant_turbines	6 x 600 MW (planned)
plant_capacity	240 MW (installed)
3,600 MW (planned)
plant_annual_gen	17 TWh
::

| name = Roghun Dam | image = | image_caption = | name_official = | location_map = Tajikistan | location_map_size = | location_map_caption = | coordinates = | dam_crosses = Vakhsh River | res_name = | location = Southern Tajikistan | dam_type = | status = Under construction | dam_length = | dam_elevation_crest = 1,232 m | dam_height = 335 m | dam_width_base = | spillway_type = | spillway_capacity = | construction_began = | opening = 2018-2029 | cost = US$2–5billion | builder = Webuild SpA | owner = Government of Tajikistan | res_capacity_total = 13.3 km3 | res_catchment = | res_surface = 110.7 km2 | res_max_depth = | plant_operator = | plant_turbines = 6 x 600 MW (planned) | plant_capacity = 240 MW (installed) 3,600 MW (planned) | plant_annual_gen = 17 TWh | plant_commission = | plant_decommission = | extra = | website = The Roghun Dam (; ) is an embankment dam under construction on the Vakhsh River in southern Tajikistan. The dam is situated 110 km from Dushanbe. It is one of the planned hydroelectric power plants of Vakhsh Cascade.

Construction of the dam began in the Soviet era, in 1976, but was abandoned in 1993 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Over three decades only preliminary construction had been carried out on the dam. Due to its controversial state, construction was suspended in August 2012 pending World Bank reports. The project was restarted by the Tajik government in 2016. The power plant's first unit was commissioned in November 2018 and second in September 2019, both on lower hydraulic head.

Since the time both were part of the USSR, the dam has been steadily opposed by the government of the neighbouring Uzbekistan, which fears it will negatively impact its lucrative cotton crops. The dispute over the project has contributed significantly to bitter relations between the two former Soviet republics.

History

The Roghun Dam was first proposed in 1959 and a technical scheme was developed by 1965. Construction began in 1976, however the project stalled after the collapse of the Soviet Union. An agreement on finishing the construction was signed between Tajikistan and Russia in 1994. Since the agreement was not implemented, it was denounced by Tajikistan parliament. In October 2004, an agreement was signed with RUSAL in which RUSAL agreed to complete the Rogun facility, to build a new aluminum plant and to rebuild the Tursunzade Aluminum Smelter. In May 2008, Tajikistan announced that construction of the dam had resumed. By December 2010, one of the river diversion tunnels was renovated and the second expected to commence in June or July 2011. Construction of the dam was suspended in August 2012 pending the World Bank assessment.

In 2010, Tajikistan launched an IPO to raise US$1.4billion to finish construction of the dam. By April 26 of that year the Tajik government had raised just US$184 million, enough for two years of construction.{{cite news|title= Tajikistan to Allow Roghun Shares on the Market | url= http://www.rferl.org/content/Tajikistan_To_Allow_Roghun_Shares_To_Go_On_The_Market/2025180.html |publisher= Radio Free Europe; Radio Liberty| date=2010-04-26|accessdate=2010-04-28}} On July 1, 2016 the state commission in charge of the project had chosen the Italian company Salini Impregilo to carry out the construction for $3.9 billion. The project is broken down into four components, with the most expensive one involving the building of a 335-meter-high rockfill dam which will entail costs of around $1.95 billion. On October 29, 2016 Tajik president Emomali Rahmon officially launched the construction of the dam. At the ceremony, the river's flow was ceremonially diverted through the reconstructed diversion tunnels. The power plant's first unit was commissioned in November 2018 and second in September 2019.

In mid-July 2022 concrete pouring commenced on the main dam core.

Technical description

Rogun was listed as the highest dam in the world for many years — 335 m high — but this was only ever a projected height. In reality the dam was only circa 60.96 m high until 1993 when it was destroyed in a flood. three projects are under consideration: the original, 335 m, and two alternatives, 300 m and 265 m, all having their advantages and drawbacks.

The hydroelectric power plant is expected to have six turbines with combined capacity of 3600 MW. When complete, it is expected to produce 17.1 TWh of electrical work per year.

Impact assessment

In response to the request of the bordering countries and especially Uzbekistan, the World Bank has financed the Techno-Economic Assessment Study (TEAS) conducted by consortium of Coyne et Bellier, Electroconsult and IPA Energy + Water Economics, and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) conducted by Pöyry. The reports, originally slated to be released in February 2012, were delayed until mid-2014. The ESIA was published on 16 June 2014 and the TEAS in July 2014. Overall, the ESIA stated that "Most impacts are rather small and easily mitigated, if mitigation is required at all." and that "There is no impact of the category "strong negative, mitigation not possible", which would have to be considered as a no-go for the project." All parties, including Central Asian states met in Almaty in July 2014 for the 5th Riparian Meeting to discuss findings within the TEAS and ESIA.

Gallery

Rogun dam project on Vakhsh river.jpg|Vakhsh river dredging Tunnel Sadd Ariana Cavern construction of Rogun Dam hydro power plant in the Republic of Tajikistan.jpg|Cavern Construction Ariana tunnel dam company rogun hydro electric power plant project.jpg|Construction of main caverns Waterintake.jpg|Water intake of Rogun Dam

International tensions

The project has raised tensions with Uzbekistan over a decrease in the downstream water flow the country needs for its irrigated agriculture (particularly cotton). In February 2010, Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a letter to his Tajik counterpart demanding an independent examination of the possible consequences of the dam. During October 2010, Uzbek President Islam Karimov called the Rogun hydropower plants a "stupid project."

However, in 2018 Uzbekistan dropped its opposition to the Rogun Dam. "Go ahead and build it, but we hold to certain guarantees in accordance with these conventions that have been signed by you," Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov said in a televised appearance on July 5, 2018.

References

Further information

References

1. "Tajikistan celebrates independence with launch of second Rogun dam turbine – Embassy of Tajikistan in Malaysia".
2. [https://www.mewr.tj/?page_id=614. Министерство энергетики и водных ресурсов республики Таджикистан]
3. [https://mir24.tv/news/16335522/17-mlrd-kilovattov-v-god-rogunskaya-ges-samaya-moshchnaya-v-centralnoi-azii. 17 млрд киловаттов в год: Рогунская ГЭС – самая мощная в Центральной Азии]
4. [https://mir24.tv/news/16335578/hram-sveta-nacii-start-rogunskoi-ges-dan. «Храм света нации»: старт Рогунской ГЭС дан]
5. [http://www.president.tj/node/13405 Оғози бунёди сарбанди Нерӯгоҳи барқи обии Роғун] // '''PRESIDENT.TJ''' — 29 октябри 2016, 12:29
6. [https://rus.azattyq.org/a/rogun-hydro-power-plant-launched-in-tajikistan/29604692.html На Рогунской ГЭС запущен первый агрегат]
7. [http://vestikavkaza.ru/analytics/Rogun-zarabotaet-uzhe-osenyu-No-ostayutsya-voprosy-i-voznikayut-novye.html Рогун заработает уже осенью. Но остаются вопросы и возникают новые], "Вестник Кавказа", 11 июля 2018 года.
8. Ariana. "Beginning Rogun Powerhouse intake & outlet tower operation".
9. "Tajikistan President starts first turbine of Rogun hydroelectric dam being developed by Salini Impregilo - Salini Impregilo".
10. Erica Marat. (2010-01-15). "Will Tajikistan Successfully Construct Rogun?". [[Jamestown Foundation]].
11. Yuriy Humber; Ilya Khrennikov. (2010-01-15). "Tajikistan Plans People's IPO for Hydropower 'Plant of Destiny'". [[Bloomberg L.P..
12. (2006-11-01). "Tajikistan: Unfinished construction of Rogun HPS is more than $1.2bn worth".
13. (2007-02-18). "Russia to complete Rogun hydroelectric plant in Tajikistan". Portal of Knowledge for Water and Environmental Issues in Central Asia.
14. "Central Asia: long-term challenges and short-term crises". International Water Power and Dam Construction.
15. (8 December 2010). "Construction works in the first building the tunnel on Rogun". Avesta.
16. (5 August 2012). "Tajikistan has suspended the construction of the Rogun". Korrespondent.
17. [http://www.eurasianet.org/node/79491 Tajikistan: Italians Picked for Rogun Dam Contract]
18. (September 2023). "Rogun Web-site". Rogun Web-site.
19. "CISRG Database (Dams Database: Rogun, Tadjikistan)". CISRG.
20. Savchenkov, N.G.. (2006-12-09). "РОГУНСКАЯ ПЛОТИНА (ВЫСОТА ПРОЕКТНАЯ ИЛИ УСЕЧЕННАЯ) ''"Rogun Dam (Height: Projected or Truncated)''". Portal of Knowledge for Water and Environmental Issues in Central Asia.
21. "Tajikistan-Uzbekistan: Top level discussions over the Rogun project".
22. Botting, Alexander. (6 March 2013). "Rogun Dam: The Waiting Game". Diplomatic Courier.
23. (16 June 2014). "Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Rogun Hydro Power Plant". Pöyry, World Bank.
24. (July 2014). "Techno-Economic Assessment Study for Rogun Hydroelectric Construction Project". Coyne et Bellier.
25. "Fifth Information-Sharing and Consultation Meeting on the Assessment Studies of the Proposed Rogun Hydropower Project (HPP)". [[World Bank]].
26. (18 July 2014). "Fifth Information-Sharing and Consultation Meeting on the Assessment Studies of the Proposed Rogun Hydropower Project (HPP)". [[World Bank]].
27. Menga, Filippo. (May 2015). "Building a nation through a dam: the case of Rogun in Tajikistan". Nationalities Papers.
28. Farangis Najibullah. (2010-02-03). "Uzbekistan Worried About Tajik Power Plant's Effect On 'Frail' Environment". [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]].
29. Farangis Najibullah. (2010-10-08). "Don't Love Your Neighbor". [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]].
30. [https://thedefensepost.com/2018/07/30/uzbekistan-tajikistan-no-more-rogun-dam-problems/ Uzbekistan and Tajikistan: No more dam problems?]

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