The Government of Tajikistan has approved a draft agreement with Uzbekistan outlining the basic principles of cooperation in the electric power sector, according to information from Tajikistan’s Ministry of Justice, cited by Avesta.tj.
The document provides for the supply of electricity generated by the Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP) to neighboring Uzbekistan.
Under the draft, the volumes and delivery terms will be set in a separate contract between OJSC Rogun HPP and JSC Uzenergosotish. The baseline price is set at 3.4 U.S. cents per kWh (zero VAT rate applied), subject to annual indexation of 1% beginning in the second year of the agreement.
Power deliveries will follow a schedule coordinated by the system operators of both countries, with flows directed primarily during peak deficit periods in Uzbekistan’s grid. Electricity will be transmitted over interstate transmission lines on DAP terms (Incoterms 2010).
During the construction phase of Rogun, energy will be supplied seasonally from April 1 to September 30. Once the plant reaches full design capacity, deliveries will shift to year‑round monthly supply. These volumes will supplement existing exports from Barki Tojik.
The agreement is designed for a 20‑year term with automatic renewal in additional 10‑year periods unless either party gives six months’ notice of termination. Disputes are to be resolved through consultations and negotiations.
Tajikistan has exported electricity to Uzbekistan on a seasonal (vegetation-period) basis since 2018. The new arrangement would expand bilateral energy cooperation and mark a significant step toward deeper regional grid integration in Central Asia.
Construction of the Rogun HPP began in 1976 but was halted in 1993 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Only preliminary works were carried out through 2012. The Tajik government relaunched the project in 2016. Unit 1 came online in November 2018, followed by Unit 2 in September 2019.
From the project’s early stages, Uzbekistan opposed Rogun, citing concerns that altered water flows could harm its highly profitable cotton harvests. The dispute strained Tajik–Uzbek relations for years. Ties began to improve only after a change of leadership in Uzbekistan, paving the way for renewed cooperation - including in the energy sector that Rogun now represents.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 17, 2025