Infrastructure

World’s Tallest Dam Racing to New Heights in Tajikistan

More than 18,000 workers are now deployed on the project.

Updated on

September 4, 2025

The Rogun Hydropower Project in Tajikistan — The Rogun Hydropower Project has endured decades of delay. (Photo: Courtesy)

Construction of Tajikistan’s Rogun Hydropower Dam is pressing ahead at speed, with Italian contractor Webuild instructed to intensify efforts during the summer construction window.

The dam, located on the Vakhsh River some 100 kilometres east of Dushanbe, is set to become the tallest in the world once its barrier reaches 335 metres.

More than 18,000 workers are now deployed on the Rogun Hydropower Project, which has been under Webuild’s management since 2016.

According to the President’s Office, the contractor has been told to “work around the clock” to make the most of favorable weather.

Authorities are aiming for the reservoir to reach an interim water level of 1,100 metres by the end of September, before the eventual target of 1,300 metres.

Webuild reported that the level had already risen by 100 metres in the past year. Two turbines, units 5 and 6, are already in operation, while the remaining four are under construction.

Once completed, Rogun’s six turbines will generate 3.6GW – output Webuild has compared to “three nuclear reactors.”

The Rogun Hydropower Plant is considered essential for meeting Tajikistan’s growing power demand amid persistent blackouts that continue to hinder the country’s economic growth.

Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda has “expressed confidence” that Tajikistan will “achieve energy independence” by August 2027, effectively setting a deadline for completion.

The scale of investment is considerable. Official figures show that $461 million has been spent this year alone, while overall expenditure since 2008 has reached $5.16 billion.

Around 15,400 residents displaced by the rising reservoir have been resettled with new housing and land.

First launched in 1976 under the USSR, the Rogun Hydropower Project has endured decades of delay, with work halting after independence in 1991 and again in 2012.

Its latest phase began in 2016, when Salini Impregilo – now Webuild – was appointed the lead contractor. Funded by the World Bank, the project’s cost then was estimated at $3.9 billion, though total outlays have already surpassed that figure.

With crews working through the summer, the Rogun Hydropower Dam’s completion now looks imminent, promising to end power shortages and secure energy independence.