EBRD to help Tajikistan establish solar power market
DUSHANBE. Aug 20 (Interfax) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's (EBRD) Technical Cooperation Committee has approved technical assistance to Tajikistan and the implementation of the Renewable Energy Market Accelerator (REMA) program in the country, the bank says on its website.
"The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources has officially requested EBRD support towards the development of solar auctions. This Assignment involves providing support in revising the existing legislative framework, designing in detail a competitive bidding process for supporting renewable energy and specifically solar PV, and preparing the documentation needed for the tender as well as providing implementation support to authorities to administer the tender up to financial close," the EBRD said.
The key objectives of this assignment are to prepare and conduct auctions for up to two solar PV projects with a capacity of around 200 MW each. The assignment will be structured in two phases. The first phase will support broader energy sector reform efforts in the country, and the second phase will encompass the implementation of the first phase recommendations and implementation of auctions for the two solar projects.
It said Tajikistan faced several constraints for the development of the renewable energy, and specifically utility-scale solar PV, such as a mountainous topography, the condition of its transmission infrastructure and grid connection issues, the level of tariffs and affordability considerations, financial sustainability constraints, bankability consideration and the need to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework.
"The assignment is expected to provide a credible and bankable framework for private sector participation, support renewable energy integration into Tajikistan's electricity mix and advise on a future competitive procurement scheme for renewable energy," the EBRD said.
The Renewable Energy Market Accelerator helps governments to create appropriate regulatory frameworks for investment in green energy, conduct auctions for renewable energy sources and amend legislation. Eighteen countries are participating in the program, and total technical assistance provided by the bank for its implementation is 42 million euros.
Tajikistan's electricity development program for 2026-2030 provides for the commissioning of at least 1.5 GW of new capacity through solar energy, since in the autumn-winter period Tajikistan regularly experiences power supply interruptions due to reduced generation at hydroelectric power plants. This is associated with the instability of river flow that decreases during cold weather. Tajikistan's energy mix is almost 98% hydropower, and less than 0.1% solar, according to Energy Ministry data.
