DUSHANBE , January 25, Asia-Plus - The construction of first stage of the Roghun hydropower plant in Tajikistan will start in March this year, Energy Minister, Jurabek Nurmahmadov, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on January 25.  

At the same time, the minister noted that the final terms of the construction of this plant have not yet been determined.  

“Russian aluminum giant Rusal will have invested some US$56 million this year in the construction of the first stage of the station,” the minister said, noting that they have not yet chosen a type of a dam for the Roghun plant.  

“The Tajik side has already worked out a project for the construction of the piled up dam, 335 meters in height and the project has passed all kinds of examinations,” said Nurmahmadov, “By experience of the construction of the Norak hydroelectric power stations experts have made certain of safety of this kind of dam for seismic zones.”  He noted that Rusal has still eyed on a concrete dam, “but the final decision, however, has not yet been made and the final decision on this issue will be made in late February.” 

On the financing of the second stage of the Roghun plant, the minister noted that the government has been seeking investors and negotiating with international financial institutions allocation of necessary funds.