GE Vernova completes first unit upgrade at Qairokkum, Tajikistan

• 7 months ago (2023-09-22)
• David Flin

Asia 850 Hydropower 112

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GE Vernova ’s Hydropower business has completed upgrading the first of six Kaplan units at the Qairokkum hydropower plant in Tajikistan.

As a result of the refurbishment, the 21 MW unit has been upgraded to a capacity of 29 MW; it is now connected to the grid. All six units will be refurbished, increasing output of each to 29 MW, bringing the total capacity of the plant to 174 MW.

The plant, over 60-years old, is located on the river Syr Darya, and it is the only power plant located in the northwestern province of Sughd. The refurbishment will help extend the lifetime of the plant as well as increase the capacity.

GE was selected with Barki Tojik to refurbish the six Kaplan units at the Qiarokkum hydropower plant. The scope of the work includes the upgrade of the six turbines and generators, as well as part of the balance of plant and site supervision for its supplied equipment.

The plant is expected to be fully modernised by mid-2025.

Bodo Mayer, Hydro Power EMEA Leader for GE Vernova, said: “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.”