DUSHANBE, May 15, Asia-Plus - Work on construction of the Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power station (HPS) on the Vakhsh River, which is being built with Russian financing, is four months behind the schedule.  Delay in construction may bring to postponement of introduction of the first generator of the plant into operation till later time, Asia-Plus has learned from reliable source at open joint-stock company (OJSC) Sangtuda-1 HPS. 

According to him, the first unit of the Sangtuda-1 plant is supposed to be put into operation already in December this year.  

The source named shortage of skilled workers as one of the main reasons impeding the construction work.  “Besides, workers receive quite low wages for work in hard conditions,” said the source, “Therefore many workers left the site and went to the Russian Federation to work as migrant laborers.”  

The source noted that at present some 1,800 workers are involved in the construction of the Sangtuda-1 plant.  

Construction on Sangtuda-1 started in April 2005, and as of mid-May 2007 about 40-50 percent of the plant had been completed, according to the source. 

He further added that because of additional expenses a total project cost had been increased from $482 million to $598 million.  

Russian conglomerate United Energy Systems (YeES) funding the project is supposed to retain a 75 percent share in the power plant, which will generate a projected 2.7 billion kWh of electricity per annum.  The power station will have an estimated capacity of 670 MW – enough to meet Tajikistan’s domestic needs and allow for the export of electricity, namely to Afghanistan.