Terms of Reference

Rehabilitation of the Baipaza Hydropower Plant

Feasibility Study

A. Background

1. At the request of the Government of Tajikistan (GoRT), the World Bank has agreed to provide financing under the Nurek Hydropower Rehabilitation Project to Barqi Tojik (BT) to carry out the necessary techno-economic studies and assessments, and prepare the required outputs to facilitate the Barqi Tojik (BT) conducting modernization (reconstruction) of the Baipaza Hydropower Project.

2. The Baipaza Hydro Power Plant (HPP) is located on the right bank of the Vakhsh River about 9 km (5.6 mi) southeast of Yovon district in Khatlon Province, Tajikistan (Latitude 38.2674, Longitude 69.1237). It is part of the cascade along the Vakhsh River[1] and was constructed between 1979 and 1986 with an installed capacity of 600 MW. It is located 30 km downstream from the Nurek HPP (3,000 MW) and 28 km upstream of the Sangtuda I HPP (670 MW). Upstream of Nurek, the Rogun HPP (3,600 MW) is currently under construction. The hydropower plants (HPPs) along the Vakhsh river represent the predominant energy production facilities in Tajikistan. A reliable operation of the HPPs of the cascade is essential for ensuring the power supply of Tajikistan.