Dushanbe, 29.10.2016. /NIAT «Khovar»/. The ceremony of the launch of construction of the dam of Roghun Hydroelectric Power Plant took place today in Roghun town on the bank of the Vakhsh River with the participation of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon.

At the launching ceremony of the construction of Roghun HPP dam, which is considered one of the important stages of the construction of this large facility, President Emomali Rahmon was accompanied by a group of members of the Government, deputies of the Majlisi namoyandagon and members of Majlisi milli, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Tajikistan, intelligentsia, and a group of youth of the country.

This important step is aimed at the continuation of the construction work at the strategic facility – Roghun Hydroelectric Power Plant, which is the ultimate goal of achieving full energy independence.

It should be noted that the Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon himself steered a bulldozer, and from 10:00 am to 11:30, that is precisely for an hour and a half, moved gravel and rock on to the riverbed of the Vakhsh River, and thus marked the beginning of construction of the Roghun HPP, which is vitally important for the people of Tajikistan.

The Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon emphasized that the construction and restoration of this important strategic object will contribute to ensuring a decent life for present and future generations. Roghun will create a favorable basis for the development of the economy and, in general, progress in all spheres of the national economy. The commissioning of the power plant will allow to launch dozens of small and large industrial companies and to create thousands of new jobs in Tajikistan.

During the period of independence, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon defined three main strategic directions in the policy of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in order to ensure a decent life for the glorious Tajik people, and through the full implementation of these goals, Tajikistan will become an advanced and developed country.

In connection with the strategic objective of achieving full energy independence of the country, the construction and reconstruction of large and small hydroelectric power plants, high-voltage transmission lines and substations with a rational and thrifty use of hydropower resources started by the instructions and orders of the President of the country Emomali Rahmon.

The start of rehabilitation work of the Roghun Hydroelectric Power Plant, construction of the Sangtuda-1 HPP, Sangtuda-2 HPP, implementation of the CASA – 1000 project, modernization of Norak Hydropower Plant, commissioning of 220kV and 500kV gas insulated switchgear (GIS) in Norak town, construction of «Lolazor» substation, 220kV “Lolazor-Khatlon” power transmission line, «Khatlon» electricity power substation, 500kV “South-North” power transmission line, launching the first phase of Dushanbe-2 combined heat and power plant (CHP) with a capacity of 100 megawatts, continuation of work for the construction of the second phase of Dushanbe-2 CHP plant with a capacity of 300 megawatts are among the significant results achieved by the ancient Tajik nation under the guidance of the wise and far-sighted Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon in the domain of ensuring full energy independence. In general, more than 1,300 megawatts of new power generating capacities were put into operation during 25 years of the State Independence in our country.

Roghun Hydroelectric Power Plant is considered the ninth power station in the Vakhsh cascade and is located in 110km distance from Dushanbe. Roghun consists of 6 units, each having 600MW capacity. The dam of Roghun HPP with a height of 335 meters is considered the highest stone-earthen dam in the world and, with hydroelectric power capacity of 3,600 megawatts (over 17 bln. KW / h) will become the largest hydroelectric power plant in the region. This figure is one and half times bigger than the power generated by the Norak HPP. Ecologically clean electricity of Roghun hydroelectric power plant will fully meet the needs of Tajikistan in electricity and will give an impetus to economic development of the country.

More than 12.5 billion Somoni was spent for the rehabilitation and construction works at the Roghun Hydropower Plant in the period of independence. Almost 15 thousand specialists and workers are engaged and over 2,100 units of equipment and machinery are mobilized at this important facility of century.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has afterwards closely reviewed the progress of work at the spillway tunnels of the Roghun HPP, and observed the water current that flowed through and out of the spillway tunnels and, from the other side of the dam, flowed back to the previous riverbed of the Vakhsh River.

The quality of construction work and high spirit of builders show that during the construction of this structure all the orders and instructions of the Head of State Emomali Rahmon have been taken into consideration for stable and quality implementation of the project works.

Roghun HPP has not only national, but also regional importance. After the construction of this important hydropower facility, Tajikistan will be able in the future as the country-exporter of cheap and environmentally friendly electric power to provide electricity to the neighboring and regional countries. The water accumulated in its reservoir will be used as a major source of water in seasons of drought and water scarcity.

According to the plan, the first phase of the Roghun Hydroelectric Power Plant, that is, its first unit, will be launched at the end of 2018, and the second unit in April 2019. The electricity generated will be supplied to the energy grid system of the country. Thus, the Roghun Hydroelectric Power Plant will start to produce electricity in December 2018. The light of Roghun will be available to every family in Tajikistan, and the final step will be accomplished towards achieving energy independence.

The Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, through his visionary and humane policy, takes care of the people of the country. Up to date, roads, bridges, tunnels and hydroelectric facilities have been constructed in Tajikistan, most of which have regional importance and serve the interests and benefit of Tajikistan and neighboring states. The policy undertaken by the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has repeatedly been acknowledged and appreciated by the heads of foreign countries.