AIIB Watch Cases

Status: Approved
Timeframe: 2017-2021
Area: Nurek, Tajikistan
AIIB Investment Amount: 60 million USD
Total Project Cost: 350 million USD
Co-financier: World Bank; Eurasian Development Bank

E&S Category: A

Project Details: The project aims to rehabilitate three power-generating units of the Nurek Hydropower Plant (HPP), improve operational efficiency, and enhance dam safety. Phase I includes equipment refurbishment, auto-transformer replacement, dam safety upgrades, and technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of utility company Barqi Tojik.

Capacity: 3000MW

Project Concerns: Large hydropower projects like Nurek pose significant environmental and human rights risks, including disruption of river ecosystems, downstream impacts, and the marginalization of affected communities. In the past, the government reintroduced energy rationing for households due to low water levels at Nurek. The country's heavy reliance on the hydropower plant makes its energy supply highly climate-sensitive and unreliable during dry periods.

Organizations monitoring: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre


Further information: 
AIIB Page 
Gender Action Scorecard

Last update: 31.12.2023