Environmental

IHA partners with Pamir Energy for first hydro certification assessment in Central Asia

IHA partners with Pamir Energy for first hydro certification assessment in Central Asia

To unlock Tajikistan’s hydropower potential and electrify remote areas, IHA Sustainability and Pamir Energy have devised a program aimed at strengthening in-country resources and improving ownership of good practices in sustainable hydropower by equipping national and regional stakeholders with appropriate tools, skills and resources.

Building on a program launched in 2020, IHA Sustainability and Tajikistan’s first public and private partnership company, Pamir Energy, with the support of the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), are ramping up efforts to foster sustainable hydropower in Tajikistan.

Nearly 90% of the country’s electricity comes from hydropower and the National Development Strategy set achieving energy independence by 2030 as one of its priority policy objectives. The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources is targeting an increase in total capacity to 10 GW by 2030, from the current 5.7 GW. Tajikistan has immense hydropower potential, which, if developed effectively and sustainably, can provide green, accessible and reliable electricity.

 “We prioritize quality and excellence in serving people and bringing light to mountainous communities,” said Amrikhon Rahimov, general director of Pamir Energy. “The cooperation with IHA Sustainability and the planned assessments and follow-up capacity building trainings are part of our long term vision to ensure sustainability in the region’s energy sector. We appreciate IHA Sustainability’s contribution to extending their knowledge and expertise not only to Pamir Energy, but also to our partners throughout Tajikistan.”

Previously, IHA Sustainability delivered trainings on specific sections of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard — such as the Labour and Working Conditions, Community Impacts and Infrastructure Safety — to about 40 Pamir Energy staff members. Pamir Energy’s newest project, the Sebzor HPP on the Shokhdara River, was assessed using the Hydropower Sustainability ESG Gap Analysis Tool after being awarded assessment funding through the HESG fund made possible by SECO.

“Since the inception of our collaboration, Pamir Energy have demonstrated time and time again their commitment to elevating sustainability in Tajikistan’s hydropower development and operations,” said Alain Kilajian, senior sustainability specialist at IHA Sustainability. “We are confident that this program will provide the necessary tools and knowledge for Pamir Energy to ensure that Tajikistan’s hydropower sector provides net positive benefits for the region and its people.”

IHA Sustainability will deliver a Certified User Training to government representatives, public sector stakeholders, project developers and civil society organizations on Sept. 28-30, 2022. The training will provide an opportunity to discuss Tajikistan’s sustainability challenges and learn about international best practices to improve project performance. Experts from Sarawak Energy Berhad and the World Bank will participate to foster exchange of knowledge and experience. After the training, the Sebzor project will be re-assessed against the Hydropower Sustainability Standard, which will be a first certification assessment in Central Asia.

The outcome of the program is for hydropower in Tajikistan to be planned and developed more sustainably and to provide a common language for key decision-makers and communities to discuss sustainability issues in the country.