DUSHANBE, May 23, Asia-Plus - The first unit of the Sangtuda-1 hydropower plant (HPP) will be put into operation in December.   Anatoly Chubais, the head of Russian conglomerate United Energy Systems (RAO YeES) signed an appropriate order on this subject recently.  

This issue was discussed at a May 22 monthly working meeting to discuss a progress of construction of the Sangtuda-1 station presided over by Tajik Deputy Prime Minister Asadullo Ghulomov.  

The deputy prime minister noted that work is currently running behind the schedule and it is necessary to accelerate the construction and complete the planned work by December.  “Those contractors who are not manage in the schedule will be fined,” Ghulomov said.  

According to Rakhmetulla Alzhanov, director general of open joint-stock company (OJSC) Sangtuda-1 HPP, they have already spent more than 445 million Russian rubles.  “Recently, another $100 million came to the Sangtuda account from Russia’s national budget,” Alzhanov said.  

According to him, they are fully provided with building materials and residential buildings have been constructed for 1,000 people.  “Some 5,000 people have to date been involved in the construction of the station,” said the Sangtuda-1 HPP director general, “90 percent of them are local engineers and workers.”   “We do not experience shortage of skilled specialists; this month alone, 200 skilled specialists have arrived from Russia,” Alzhanov said.  

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.