WASHINGTON, October 18, 2011 – The World Bank would like to provide an update on the status of the Assessment Studies for the proposed Rogun Project.
The Assessment Studies are being supported by the World Bank in response to a request from the Government of Tajikistan, and include the Techno-Economic Assessment Study (TEAS) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed Rogun Hydropower Project (Rogun HPP) based on the current international standards and practices.
The Assessment Studies started in March 2011 and are making notable progress. The international consultants have collected and analyzed a large amount of available data and studies, and have produced several initial assessments and reports. The initial assessments also identified aspects that require further review and analysis.
In August 2011, a team of World Bank experts and independent Panels of Experts visited Tajikistan to review the progress of the Assessment Studies with the international consultants who are undertaking the studies for the Government of Tajikistan. They reviewed the feasibility of immediate construction of an intermediate height dam of 120m as a stand-alone project, which implies a project that would be viable technically, economically, environmentally and socially on a long term basis, independent of the decision to proceed with a higher dam. Based on this review, experts agreed that an intermediate height dam project as stand-alone was not recommended. Therefore, the Panels of Experts and the World Bank team recommended to expedite the comprehensive assessment of a full height dam (up to 335 meters), which is planned to be completed by mid-2012.
The World Bank and the Government of Tajikistan last year reached an understanding that no new construction would commence and no new resettlement will be undertaken until after the Assessment Studies have been shared and discussed with riparians, and reviewed by the Panels of Experts to determine feasibility.
The World Bank maintains regular contact with the Government of Tajikistan on the progress of the Assessment Studies, including regular meetings in Dushanbe and visits to the proposed project site. In addition, the World Bank conducts regular meetings with civil society representatives and concerned riparians to ensure transparency and inclusive consultations through the process. Next information sharing and riparian session will be held as soon as the Environmental and Social Screening Report, which is the basis of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, is prepared for discussion.
The World Bank is also currently preparing a power supply options study for Tajikistan. This study will assess the energy supply options available to Tajikistan taking into account power, economic, environmental, social, and water management considerations. The World Bank’s overall engagement in the energy sector supports the Government of Tajikistan’s strategy to ensure reliable supply to consumers, deal with the severe winter energy shortages, reduce electricity system losses and strengthen financial management system to improve the financial condition of the energy sector, and develop a regional trade scheme to achieve sustainable export of summer surplus electricity.
