Uzbekistan plans ADB modernization loan for Takhiatash thermal plant

In 2013, Uzbekistan plans to raise a loan of Asian Development Bank (ADB) of about $200 million for a project to modernize Takhiatash thermal power plant (TPP) with the provisional project cost of $330 million, a governmental representative told Trend on Thursday.

According to the source, the government and ADB management has already reached a preliminary agreement on the financial assistance of the Bank in the implementation of this project. In August, ADB provided Uzbekenergo, which is the executor of the project, with a grant of $1.2 million for the feasibility study of the project by mid-2013.

Modernization of Takhiatash TPP located in the north-western Uzbekistan, is due to the expansion of the oil and gas companies' activities in the development of fields in the Ustyurt plateau.

As part of the modernization it is planned to install by 2016 two gas turbines, 140 MW each and construct the cooling tower for two units, 210 MW each.

The project will allow to increase plant capacity by 30 percent and to reduce the discharge of waste water.

Funding is provided by the ADB loan funds, the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan and Uzbekenergo's own funds.

Installed capacity of five energy units of Takhiatash thermal power plant is 730 MW. The first unit was commissioned in 1956, the fifth - in 1967. The power plant provides electricity to the north-west of the country - an autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region.