DUSHANBE, March 28, Asia-Plus  -- Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov held a meeting with participation of heads of relevant ministries and organizations on March 27 to discuss issues related to the establishment of open joint stock company for completing construction of the hydroelectric power station (HPS) Roghun.

Speaking at the meeting, the prime minister ordered to speed up the work on establishing OJSC Roghun HPS and submit proposals on structure and charter of the company to the government by April 1.  

We will recall that the government issued a resolution on the foundation of OJSC Roghun HPS last August already. 

We will recall that the Barqi Tojik power holding top manager Sharifkhon Samiyev stated last April that Tajikistan will break a US$1 billion contract with Russian aluminum giant Rusal for a hydroelectric plant, after continuing problems with the project.  

The Roghun dam, crucial for Tajikistan, has been stalled from the outset by disputes between the government and Rusal.  In January 2007, the Tajik government accused the company of failing to fulfill the contract signed in 2004.  Samiyev stated that time that the government now intends to create an international consortium to complete the project. Russian companies, except Rusal, would be welcome to join, he added.

            Tajikistan formally revoked the contract with Rusal in August 2007.  A statement released by presidential office explained that the cancellation of the contract also includes the annulment of the October 2004 agreement on long-term cooperation with Rusal.  According to the contract, Rusal agreed to construct the Roghun HPS, the largest such facility in Tajikistan, with a planned capacity of 13 billion kWh of electricity.