DUSHANBE, April 15, 2009, Asia-Plus — Tajikistan will gain energy independence in the coming four years, President Rahmon announced during an address to a joint meeting of both chambers of parliament today.
15 mini hydropower plants have been introduced into operation in the country in January-march this year and 35 others should be built by the end of the year the president said. The Sangtuda-1 station will be put into operation in mid-May and construction of the Sangtuda-2 power plant will be finished at the end of 2011.
According to him, some 480 million somoni will be allocated within the next four years for rehabilitation and modernization of the Norak hydropower plant; 80 million somoni of this amount are funds of international organizations provided in a form of grants. “The first rehabilitated generator of the plant will be reintroduced into operation by May 20,” the president said.
“We will construct the Roghun station and are currently making preparations for construction of the Nourobod-1 and Nourobod-2 stations [on the River of Khingob] as well as other hydropower facilities on the rivers of Zarafshon, Panj and Vakhsh,” Rahmon noted, calling on relevant ministries and organizations to rationally use the country’s water and energy resources.
He also noted that 87 oil-and-gas deposits in the country were currently being explored and developed in cooperation with a number of foreign companies. “The capital city is expected to be provided with Tajik natural gas by the end of this year,” Rahmon said.
