Tajikistan is building a world-renowned project. This magnificent structure is so large that it surpasses all the skyscrapers in London and even towers over Singapore's skyline. It is not a high tower or a monument, but a dam. The Rogun Dam, which is 335 meters high, will reshape the future of this country, which has long suffered from energy shortages and economic resource scarcity. I have stood in similar valleys in Central Asia, and such large-scale projects will completely change your perception of this land.
Legacy of the Soviet Era
The story of Rogun dates back to the 1970s when the Soviet Union envisioned a series of giant hydroelectric power stations in Central Asia. Engineers had already built massive dams like the Bratsk Dam, which required more than 40,000 workers and formed a reservoir the size of a small country. These projects pushed Soviet engineering technology to its limits and shaped the entire region for decades afterward.
In 1976, Soviet planners selected the Vakhsh Valley as the site for their next breakthrough project. They wanted to build a dam higher than any previous one. Their calculations showed that the steep and narrow riverbanks of the Rogun Gorge were ideal for construction. This was not just about power; it was about proving that even the most remote regions could be transformed through engineering to serve grand industrial visions.
Nurek: Tajikistan's First Giant
Before the completion of the Rogun Dam, Tajikistan completed the Nurek Dam in 1979. This 300-meter-high dam held the title of the world's highest dam for over 40 years. The Nurek Dam supplied almost all of Tajikistan's electricity and was the backbone of the country's power grid.
This project also revealed the consequences of river diversion. Thousands of people were forced to relocate, and changes in the lower reaches of the river accelerated the shrinkage of the Aral Sea. However, the Nurek Hydropower Plant proved that Tajikistan's rugged terrain could support record-breaking hydroelectric projects. It laid the foundation for the Rogun Hydropower Station, which aimed to surpass all previous ones.
The Vision Behind the World's Highest Dam
The design of the Rogun Hydropower Station was not merely a simple source of power. Engineers saw it as a key to controlling the Vakhsh River, a tributary of the Amu Darya, which is one of the fastest-flowing rivers. Controlling this waterway meant controlling floods, ensuring irrigation, and stabilizing water supplies for hundreds of thousands of people in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
This dam will also become the core of the regional power grid. Projects like CASA-1000 make Tajikistan a potential exporter of clean energy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, creating new revenue sources and reducing dependence on imported fuels. But this influence has also raised concerns. Uzbekistan's cotton fields rely heavily on stable river flow, and it has warned that the Rogun Dam might limit its water supply. From the beginning, the Rogun Dam has carried both hope and controversy.
After the Collapse of the Soviet Union
Everything changed in 1991. The Soviet Union collapsed, and Tajikistan fell into civil war, leaving the unfinished Rogun project in limbo. Workers scattered, machines disappeared, and tunnels were flooded with mud. This valley turned from a symbol of progress into a symbol of loss.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Tajikistan experienced severe energy shortages. Winter often brought long power outages. Households relied on firewood and coal for heating. I spoke with some residents who still remember days without electricity. These difficulties highlighted the urgency of restarting the Rogun project.
Efforts to restart the project have occurred multiple times. Russian aluminum company Rusal also considered taking over, but the project stalled due to disagreements over design and cost. For years, the construction remained stagnant.
The Resurgence of a Giant Project
In 2016, Tajikistan hired Italian engineering firm Salini Impregilo (now renamed Webuild), marking a turning point for the project. The company has extensive experience in large-scale hydroelectric projects, and its involvement finally brought development momentum, expertise, and global attention to Tajikistan.
That same year, engineers completed one of the project's most important milestones: successfully diverting the Vakhsh River. This massive project required blasting four diversion tunnels, each passing through hard rock and exceeding one kilometer in length. After the river was diverted, construction of the dam's core foundation could finally begin after decades of delay.
Building a Structure in One of the World's Most Active Seismic Zones
The Rogun Dam is located in an area prone to strong earthquakes, forcing engineers to redesign the entire structure. Traditional gravity concrete dams are prone to cracking under seismic pressure. Therefore, they designed a rockfill dam with compacted clay at its core. This flexible structure can move and absorb shocks, remaining stable even during an 8-magnitude earthquake.
Engineers reinforced the foundation to prevent landslides and excavated emergency spillways in the surrounding mountains. These measures protect the dam in extreme flood or earthquake events. Few engineering projects worldwide face such high elevation, powerful hydraulics, and dual geological stress challenges. The Rogun Dam stands as one of the most challenging hydraulic engineering projects in history.
Moving Toward the Highest Point in History
After the dam was constructed, construction work quickly progressed. By 2018, the first turbine began generating electricity. The second turbine was put into operation in 2019. These early units stabilized the power grid and alleviated the long-standing winter electricity shortages in Tajikistan.
By 2025, the height of the dam's crest had reached 1,110 meters above sea level. The final target height is approximately 1,300 meters, making the dam's height reach a record 335 meters. It is expected to be fully completed by 2029, with reservoir filling continuing until the mid-2030s, depending on seasonal water flow and regional agreements.
Once completed, the dam and its six 600-megawatt turbines will provide over 3,600 megawatts of electricity, comparable to the output of a large nuclear power plant.
The Cost of Ambition
The cost of the Rogun project is as high as $6.2 billion, a heavy burden for a country with a low GDP. To raise funds, the government launched a national stock purchase campaign, encouraging citizens to invest directly. Many saw it as a patriotic duty, while others felt pressured. Regardless, this campaign demonstrated the entire nation's high hopes for the project.
International lending institutions, including the World Bank, have studied the environmental and social impacts of this dam. Their assessments emphasized the importance of the project for Tajikistan's energy security and the significant impact it will have on downstream countries.
Community Transformation
Beneath this giant project lies a touching human story. Building the reservoir required relocating 46,000 people from 69 villages. Many families had to leave their farmland, ancestral homes, and graves. As of 2024, over 15,000 people have been relocated.
New settlement areas provide housing, schools, and clinics, but many residents still face challenges with employment, transportation, and access to farmland. The large-scale relocation tests the country's resources and its ability to support communities during such profound transformations.
Regional Tensions and Cooperation
Water resources play a crucial role in Central Asian politics. The Amu Darya supports millions of people, and decisions made upstream affect the economies downstream. The Rogun reservoir allows Tajikistan to control water flow more effectively, which once exacerbated tensions with Uzbekistan.
In recent years, diplomatic relations between the two countries have improved. The leadership change in Uzbekistan in 2016 opened the door for dialogue, joint technical research, and a more cooperative atmosphere. The future of the region may depend on agreements that balance energy production with agricultural needs. Successful cooperation could help strengthen stability in Central Asia.
Examples around the world show how delicate this balance can be. Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam sparked years of negotiations with Egypt and Sudan. Projects that alter river courses often change political relationships. The Rogun project follows the same pattern.
A Future Defined by a Single Structure
The Rogun Dam is central to Tajikistan's future development. Once completed, it will completely transform the country's energy landscape, support emerging industries, and position Tajikistan as a regional exporter of clean electricity. In addition, it will change ecosystems, affect agriculture, and reshape communities.
This scale of dam cannot be paused or reversed. Once the reservoir is filled, the surrounding valleys will be permanently changed. Although the project carries significant risks, it also embodies the hopes of a nation striving to secure its future and overcome decades of hardship.
The world's highest dam is not just an engineering marvel; it represents a small country taking on a major project capable of changing its fate. Regardless of the outcome, its impact will last for generations in Central Asia.
Source: Incredible Construction
Original: toutiao.com/article/7590588721515250239/
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author.