DUSHANBE, September 10, 2014, Asia-Plus – Tajik and Iranian presidents have unveiled the second unit at the Iranian-funded hydropower plant in Tajikistan.
On Wednesday September 10, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani watched the start-up of the second generating unit at the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectric power plant (HPP). They attended the unveiling ceremony of the Sangtuda-2 HPP by video conference.
The first 110 MW unit of the Sangtuda-2 HPP was reportedly introduced into operation two years ago.
Construction of Sangtuda-2, a 220-megawatt plant on the Vakhsh River, officially commenced in February 2006. It is located some 120 kilometers southeast of Dushanbe.
Iran, which has put some 180 million U.S. dollars into the construction of the hydropower station, will operate it for the next 12 years and then transfer control to Tajikistan, whose contribution to the construction costs amounted to around 40 million U.S. dollars.
The power plant is expected to help alleviate power shortages in Tajikistan during autumn-winter period.
The first 110 MW unit of the plant was introduced into operation on September 5, 2011. Tajik and Iranian presidents attended a joint ceremony to unveil the Sangtuda-2 dam and power plant.
Installation of the second 110 MW unit at the Sangtuda2 HPP was completed in May 2013.
