DUSHANBE , February 20, Asia-Plus - An official groundbreaking ceremony for Sangtuda-2 hydropower plant is being held in Tajikistan today.  

Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov and visiting high-ranking Iranian delegation comprising Majlis (Iranian parliament) Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel and Energy Minister Said Parviz Fattah are attending the groundbreaking ceremony.   .

As it had been reported earlier, Tajikistan and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Sangtuda-2 power plant in June 2005.  The dam and power station will cost US$220 million in total, of which 180 million dollars will be financed by Iran .  In addition, US$40 million will be extended by Tajikistan . 

Once the power station is built, all the revenue over the next 12.5 years will go to Iran , which is investing in the project.  Tajikistan will become the owner of Sangtuda-2 after this period expires.