DUSHANBE, August 12, 2008, Asia-Plus - The Kazakh of Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry is asking China Development Bank (CDB) to increase funds for construction of the Moinak hydro-power plant on the Charyn river in the Almaty region.

"We would like China''s State Bank to consider a possibility of additional investments into the Moinak HPP. The amount in question is US$75 million, the deputy energy minister, Duysenbai Turganov, said at the project presentation on Friday.

"We need to make a detailed estimate to solve all capital investment issues for the next period of financing. When the electricity price is set, then we will be able to discuss further financing," a CDB capital investment department official said.

Turganov said that the Moinak GES HPP would be commissioned in December 2011, but expressed doubts that in that cold winter month all the start-up and commissioning operations could be made on time.