Jan 31, 2008 - BBC Monitoring via COMTEX

Tajikistan has started implementing one of the eight projects on construction of small hydroelectric power plants funded by the Islamic Development Bank, the head of the centre for implementing energy projects, Sanat Rahimov, has told Avesta.

Rahimov said that a Tajik-Iranian joint venture Roh-i Korvon-Kukharut [transliterated] (RKK) - the general contractor of all these projects - had begun implementing the first project in Baljuvon District of Khatlon Region [southern Tajikistan]. According to its technical parameters, the power plant will have a capacity of 1 MWh of electricity.

The construction projects of another four of these small hydroelectric power plants are fully ready, Rahimov added.

The power plants will be located in Ayni, Tursunzoda, Nurobod, Baljuvon and Shahrinav districts. The total cost of the projects is estimated at 10m dollars, and they are expected to be commissioned in March 2009.

The facilities will be able to generate jointly 8,000 kWh of electricity, which will make it possible to provide local people with electricity all the year round, Rahimov concluded.

Source: Avesta website, Dushanbe, in Russian 1032 gmt 31 Jan 08

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