GE Vernova Upgrades Kaplan Unit at Qairokkum Hydropower Plant

GE Vernova’s Hydro Power business upgraded one of six Kaplan turbines and generator units at the Qairokkum hydropower plant in Tajikistan. The upgrade increased the capacity of the 21 MW unit to 29 MW, and it is now connected to the grid. All five remaining units will have capacity increased from 21 MW to 29 MW, elevating the total capacity of the Kaplan-powered plant to 174 MW.

"The work done in Tajikistan on making hydropower plants climate resilient is essential for our industry's future and the global energy transition that we all support. We are honored to contribute to this project and for the completion of the first unit’s rehabilitation,” said Bodo Mayer, Hydro Power EMEA Leader, GE Vernova. “This boost in capacity sets the stage for even greater clean-energy production as we prepare to bring five more units online."

Qairokkum hydropower plant is a 60-year-old facility located on the Syr Darya River, providing electricity for 500,000 people within the Sughd province. GE Vernova’s refurbishment process will extend the lifetime of Qairokkum and increase capacity for the delivery of clean, sustainable energy to Tajikistan.

In addition to the refurbishment provided by GE, Tajikistan-based power company Barki Tojik has been selected to assist in the upgrading of six Kaplan units at Qairokkum. The refurbishment process entails the upgrade of six turbines and generators, as well as balance plant and site supervision for the delivered equipment. GE Vernova leads the collaboration, along with Barki Tojik and Cobra—a division of Spain’s ACS Group—to refurbish the Qairokkum hydropower plant. Full modernization of the plant is expected to be completed midway through 2025.

Qairokkum was chosen for the upgrade to demonstrate how a hydropower plant may be rehabilitated through performance enhancement. A series of improved, refurbished turbines will enable the plant to produce more electricity and manage variations in water flow in the Sughd province.