The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $1 million grant to support the development of floating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Tajikistan, marking a step toward introducing emerging renewable energy technologies in the mountainous Central Asian country.
According to Ko Sakamoto, ADB’s Country Director in Tajikistan, the initiative is designed to harness the country’s abundant solar radiation and extensive water resources.
“This innovative initiative aims to make the most of what Tajikistan has to offer: sun and water,” Sakamoto said.
The project seeks to lay the groundwork for a year-round and reliable energy supply.
Addressing Land Constraints Through Floating Solar
With around 93 percent of its territory covered by mountains, Tajikistan faces significant constraints on the availability of flat land. Much of the limited suitable land is already allocated for agriculture or housing, making ground-mounted solar installations costly and difficult to develop.
In contrast, Tajikistan’s extensive network of reservoirs, which benefit from high solar exposure and existing infrastructure, presents an alternative pathway for renewable energy expansion.
Floating solar PV systems are being considered as a land-efficient and cost-effective solution that avoids competition with essential land uses.
Reservoir Assessments
Under the ADB grant, technical experts will assess up to five reservoirs across the country to evaluate their suitability for floating solar PV installations.
Based on these assessments, a detailed feasibility study will be conducted for the development of a large-scale floating solar power plant at one selected site.
Support for State-Owned Utility Reforms
The grant also includes funding to modernise the financial management system of Barki Tojik, Tajikistan’s state-owned energy company. This component is intended to enhance operational efficiency and improve financial transparency within the utility.
Tajikistan has recently stepped up its clean energy efforts. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the country has launched its most ambitious solar programme to date, involving the construction of two photovoltaic plants with a combined capacity of 500 megawatts. The initiative signals a broader shift toward energy diversification and long-term sustainability.
ADB Increasing Support in the Central Asian Region
ADB’s Tajikistan financial support is not the only one in Central Asia. The bank also signed a $30 million financing package to develop a 300-megawatt solar power plant and 75 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Guzar City, Kashkadarya Region, Uzbekistan.
The project also includes the construction of electrical interconnection facilities – 1.6 kilometers of transmission lines and a 220-kilovolt substation – to help integrate renewable energy into the national power grid.
