The Tajikistan National Utility Barki Tajik has awarded a contract to design and deliver a 500 kV Switchyard Reconstruction Project to the Nurek Hydroelectric Power Plant (Nurek HPP) – the first ever project to use 500 kV Gasinsulated switchgear (GIS) technology in Central Asia. The project will be financed by a grant from Asian Development Bank.

Tajikistan is Central Asia's smallest country with mountains covering 93% of its territory. Due to a difficult geological environment the site of Nurek HPP’s existing 500 kV Air-insulated substation (AIS) is at risk. The new Alstom Grid turnkey project will replace the 500 kV AIS and install a new 500 kV GIS solution on a more stable site in the area. The Alstom project will assure a safe and reliable electricity supply to support the country’s economic development. By optimizing the flow of energy from Nurek HPP across the grid, it will help to secure future energy sales revenue for Barki Tajik.

Nurek HPP is the largest hydropower station in Central Asia with an installed generation capacity of 3 gigawatts (GW) and produces over 75% of Tajikistan's electricity. It is a multipurpose project comprising several functions including power generation, the frequency regulation of Central Asia networks and irrigation supply for downstream countries such as Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Tajikistan has enormous hydro power potential. Less than 10% of the nation’s hydroelectric energy resources have been developed, resources that could be producing 40 GW of energy. Making the most efficient use of these resources will be critical to meeting the growing electricity needs of Central and South Asia countries, as well as providing sustainable economic growth.