DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 16. The EU will provide an additional contribution of 16 million euros for the completion of the Sebzor hydropower plant (HPP) and associated grid infrastructure in Tajikistan, Sarah Rinaldi, Head of Unit for the Middle East and Central Asia at the EU Commission's International Partnerships, announced during her visit to Tajikistan's Gorno-Badakhshan region (GBAO), Trend reports.
According to the EU in Tajikistan, this funding aims not only to enhance energy security for the people of GBAO but also to extend access to clean energy, supporting basic needs and livelihoods in four districts of Afghanistan's Badakhshan province.
Sarah Rinaldi arrived in Tajikistan on an official visit for a round of discussions on Tajik-EU cooperation.
The construction of the Sebzor HPP in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region on the Shokhdara river began in 2015. The HPP will have an 11 MW capacity, supplying energy to over 227,000 people in the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous region and 468,000 people in bordering areas of neighboring Afghanistan.
The partnership between the EU and Tajikistan in development matters dates back to 1991, covering a diverse range of sectors including rule of law, governance, human rights, health, education, water, energy, and rural development.