DUSHANBE, October 4, Asia-Plus — Tajikistan will consent to participation of Russian Unified Energy System (RAO YeES) in the Roghun hydroelectricity project only in the case if it does not find new partners or under pressure of Russia, Tajik independent political scientist Parviz Mullojonov remarked this in an interview with Asia-Plus.
According to him, the Russian side has already prepared a new draft agreement on completing the construction of Roghun and intends to submit it for consideration to the Tajik government in the near future.
“To all appearances, Russian representatives have repeatedly discussed the terms of the new agreement with Tajik officials during their numerous visits to Dushanbe, and therefore, the main points of the agreement will probably not cause differences,” independent expert noted.
At the same time, according to Mullojonov, RAO YeES is the more reliable partner for Tajikistan than Rusal, which “was interested in taking control over Tajik aluminum company rather then in the Roghun station itself.”
“As far as the RAO YeES is concerned, for it, the Roghun project is of interest in terms of getting profit from further sale of electricity power generated by the station,” said Mullojonov, “But the Tajik government will scarcely like RAO YeES’ wish to increase its ownership interest in the station to 75 percent; therefore, the main discussions will be most likely over these additional 25 percent.”
Mullojonov said that Tajikistan could consent to those conditions in the event if it did not find alternative to the Russia variant. “It is to be noted that Pakistan had previously also shown interest in the Roghun hydroelectricity project,” said the political scientist, “Some specialists hold that Tajikistan could complete the construction of the Roghun hydroelectric power station on its own, but it will take much more time.”
He also stressed that pressure of the Russian side could also play the main role in the issue of completing the construction of the Roghun station. “Russia has already given to understand that it will not miss the opportunity to participate in the Roghun project and will not give it to any third party,” said Mullojonov, “It is possible to replace one Russian company by another one, but choice in favor of non-Russian partner may cause discontent of the Russian side, which has key factor to make pressure on Tajikistan, and one of such key factors is migration.”
At the same time, Mullojonov noted that the Tajik side should keep control over process and quality of the construction work.
