2 weeks Ago By Choi Eun-nam
The Korean government has taken a significant step towards renewable energy collaboration in Central Asia by supporting the construction of Tajikistan's first MW-scale solar power plant. This project, as part of an Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiative, aims to improve the quality of life for Tajikistan residents and promote the expansion of renewable energy. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) officially embarked on this partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tajikistan’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources on December 9.
The project targets the construction of two solar power plants with a capacity of 3MW each and energy storage systems (ESS) with a 0.5MW capacity in the Sugd and Gorno-Badakhshan regions, which are currently grappling with power shortages. These facilities mark the first MW-scale solar power plants in Tajikistan and are expected to lay the foundation for the country’s renewable energy sector.
The construction phase will commence in 2024, leveraging Korean technology and expertise to enhance Tajikistan's energy independence. KIAT emphasized that this project serves as more than just a renewable energy supply initiative—it represents a critical first step in strengthening industrial energy cooperation between Korea and Central Asian countries. Min Byung-joo, President of KIAT, stated, "This project will be an essential milestone for expanding collaboration with Central Asia beyond renewable energy into supply chain and manufacturing industries.
We look forward to this becoming the first step in a sustainable partnership between Korea and Tajikistan." This collaboration is expected to deepen mutual dependence in the industrial energy sector, bring tangible benefits to local residents through the dissemination of renewable energy, and strengthen Korea’s role in the global community..
