GE Vernova's hydropower division has achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing the upgrade of the first of six Kaplan turbine and generator units at the Qairokkum hydropower plant, situated in the northwestern province of Sughd. In collaboration with Barki Tojik, this refurbishment project represents a crucial step toward augmenting the plant's capacity and extending its operational lifespan.
Constructed over six decades ago, the Qairokkum hydropower plant has long served as the primary source of electricity for approximately 500,000 residents in the region, underscoring its pivotal role in the province's power supply. The completion of the initial unit upgrade, originally rated at 21MW, has now elevated its capacity to an impressive 29MW. Significantly, this enhancement paves the way for all six units to undergo similar transformations, ultimately raising the plant's total capacity to a formidable 174MW.
GE Vernova leads the consortium spearheading this venture, in collaboration with Cobra, a division of Spain's ACS Group. The project's scope encompasses the comprehensive overhaul of the six turbines and generators, complemented by essential balance of plant upgrades and on-site supervision for the supplied equipment. The comprehensive modernization of the Qairokkum hydropower plant is slated for completion by mid-2025.
Bodo Mayer, Hydro Power EMEA Leader at GE Vernova, emphasized the project's importance for making hydropower plants resilient to climate challenges, stating, “The work done in Tajikistan on making hydropower plants climate resilient is essential for our industry's future and the global energy transition that we all support. We are extremely honored to contribute to this project and for the completion of the first unit's rehabilitation. This remarkable boost in capacity sets the stage for even greater clean energy production as we prepare to bring five more units online.”
Tajikistan heavily relies on hydropower, with nearly 90% of its electricity originating from this renewable source. Given the nation's significant dependence on hydropower, the adaptation of existing infrastructure and the development of new assets are becoming increasingly critical to meet future operational demands. The selection of the Qairokkum hydropower plant as a pilot for this concept underscores the potential of modernized facilities not only to generate more energy but also to address fluctuations in water flow patterns within the region.
