BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 30. A total of 74
small hydropower plants with a combined capacity of more than 8.9
megawatts have been built in the cities and districts of
Tajikistan’s Sughd region.


This was announced in a statement published by the press service
of the Tajik President, citing remarks made by President Emomali
Rahmon during a meeting with the heads and activists of the Sughd
region.


"Seventy-four small hydropower plants with a total capacity of
more than 8,900 kilowatts have been built in the cities and
districts of the region," the statement said.


Emomali Rahmon noted that five more projects are currently being
implemented, including the expansion of the Sugd-500 substation,
with a total cost of 2.3 billion somoni ($247.9 million), which
will contribute to the further development of the region’s energy
infrastructure.


"In addition, one of the first major green energy projects in
Sughd Region - the construction of a 250-megawatt solar power plant
in Asht district - has been completed," the statement said.







Trend’s analysis
indicates that the expansion of small hydropower and solar
generation could significantly strengthen the diversification of
Sughd Region’s energy system. Trend estimates suggest that
renewable generation capacity in the region could increase by
around 25–35% by 2030, supported by the completion of ongoing
projects and further investment in solar and hydropower.


Moreover, Trend’s
calculations indicate that the development of distributed
generation could also improve electricity availability in remote
districts and reduce pressure on the regional grid. Trend estimates
indicate that renewable sources could account for approximately
15–20% of the region’s additional power generation capacity by
2030, creating greater opportunities to supply growing industrial
and household demand.


Further investment in transmission infrastructure could allow
the region to integrate new renewable capacity more efficiently.
Trend estimates suggest that an additional 2–3 billion somoni ($215
million - $323 million) could be invested in renewable energy and
related grid infrastructure in Sughd over the next five years.