DUSHANBE: President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon arrived in Roghun city to attend the commissioning ceremony of the first hydro unit of the Roghun hydropower plant. The Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon was greeted with special warmth and sincerity at the temporary airport of Roghun’s construction site by the Prime Minister of the country Qohir Rasulzoda. From Pakistan Federal Minister for Engery Omar Ayub Khan attended the ceremony. The Pakistani minister had a meeting with the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and assured the President that Pakistan will do its best to complete all projects already in process with Tajikistan. He also conveyed best wishes to the government and people of Tajikistan on behalf of Pakistani people and Pakistani government. The representatives of Russia, Italy, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Belarus, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan as well as leading experts of regional and international organizations were invited to Tajikistan to participate in this historic event. The opening ceremony of the first hydro unit of this biggest hydropower facility runs through the news of the world media. The solemn opening ceremony of the first unit of “Roghun” hydropower plant is broadcasted live on all state TV and radio channels of Tajikistan. Two hundred local and foreign media staff and journalists reported on this important event, including influential international news agencies from the USA, Italy, Germany, Russia, Japan, Great Britain, China, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and other countries. Emomali Rahmon, by pressing the button put into operation a 500kV power transmission line “Dushanbe-Roghun”, thereby fulfilling the long-standing aspiration of the Tajik people. Total amount of 650 TJS was allocated for the construction of the 500kV power transmission line “Dushanbe-Roghun”, which was implemented in the framework of the restoration and construction of 500kV high-voltage transmission line through Districts of Republican Subordination (DRS) Project. The project has started in September 2017 and should be completed within specified deadlines, i.e. August 2021. President Emomali Rahmon launched the gas-insulated high-voltage switchgear (GIS) for the Roghun hydropower plant. Installation of Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) was completed on February 2018 at a high quality level with the participation of local experienced specialists. There are 19 units of 500kV GIS and 4 units of 220kV GIS installed at this site. Energy can be transferred by integrated energy grid of the country through six 500 kV overhead transmission line. In addition, from this equipment the electricity will be transferred to the Roghun city power substation by one two-chain 220kV line. Germany-based Siemens AG has equipped the GIS for the Roghun hydropower plant. Namely, from this hall the electricity generated at the “Roghun” HPP will be supplied to the power transmission lines by means of equipment produced by reputable world companies. 57 units of 500kV poles of gas-insulated switches, 99 transformers, 30 extension modules, 168 units of distributors, 48 voltage transformers, 30 units of 500 kV voltage limiters are installed inside the building of the complete gas-insulated switchgears. Along with the 36th poles, medium power transmission modules are installed. All 500 kV poles are equipped with protective metal structures. On 16 November 2018 a momentous event has taken place in the history of the statehood of independent Tajikistan that has made a significant contribution to achieve energy independence. President Emomali Rahmon in a solemn ceremony has launched the first hydro unit of “Roghun” Hydro Power Plant and gave a start to operation of this magnificent project of the century that will contribute to the development of the country. Construction workers, activists and intellectuals, young people, elders, heads and staff of Dushanbe – based diplomatic missions, as well as representatives of international organizations have attended the launching ceremony of the first hydro unit of “Roghun” Hydro Power Plant. After being launched the first hydro unit of “Roghun” HPP will be connected to an integrated energy grid of the country. Now the light and heat of the palace of light of Tajikistan – “Roghun” has entered the houses of people of Tajikistan. Glorious people of Tajikistan were eagerly waiting for this day. At the commissioning ceremony of the first hydro unit of the Roghun HPP, the Head of State Emomali Rahmon stressed that “For many years glorious people of Tajikistan were eagerly waiting for this day, and dedicated and patriotic workers – highly qualified specialists and constructors have been working days and nights in order to make this date happen sooner, i.e. today is the day of light and the realization of national aspirations.” In the machine room, the President of the country Emomali Rahmon, in honor of this historic event – the commissioning of the first unit of the Roghun Hydroelectric Power Plant, left an autograph in the book “Rogun – Palace of Light”. The accuracy of the running unit of the Roghun HPP was determined by the laying of a coin, and thus the operation of the first unit of the station was found to meet the requirements. It has to be mentioned, that on 29 October 2016 construction of “Roghun” dam was officially launched by Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon. That day the President of the country has taken the wheel of bulldozer and blocked the flow of Vakhsh River and hence, has launched construction of the dam of this hydropower station. “Roghun” HPP has the biggest capacity out of the hydropower facilities on the Vakhsh River and comprises 6 aggregates with energy capacity of 600 MW for each. “Roghun” HPP with energy capacity of 3600 MW (more than 17 billion kWh) will be the biggest hydropower station in the region. This number is 1,5 times higher compared to the existing capacity of “Norak” HPP. “Roghun” was named by Leader of the country as the matter of life and death of the people of Tajikistan. The launch of the hydropower station is landmark event in the history of statehood of the Tajik nation and will be written into the history of our nation with golden letters. Environmentally-friendly energy produced by HPP will cover the energy needs of Tajikistan and give a new impetus to the economic development of the country. Today the first hydro unit was launched. Other aggregates of the HPP will start their operation next year owing to an iron will of the construction workers. President Emomali Rahmon with his far-sighted and humanitarian policy always takes care of the people of the country. Each visit of the President to the construction site has been raising the spirit of the workers and everyone could observe that they have been carrying out the orders and sermons of the President Emomali Rahmon to perform their work with a particular emphasis on a quality. More than 25 thousands constructors and engineers and other technical staff have remarkably contributed to the construction of the hydropower station. Engineers are committed to continue to launch other aggregates of hydropower station. Building and restoration of this vital strategic construction will serve to ensure decent life of present and future generations of Tajikistan. It will provide a solid ground for economic progress and generally for the improvement of all spheres of life in the country. After starting full exploitation of the HPP it will enable to establish dozens of small and medium factories as well as create thousands of new jobs. Published in Daily Times, November 18th 2018.