DUSHANBE, November 15, 2010, Asia-Plus — According to open joint-stock company (PJSC) NBO Roghun, construction of the Roghun hydroelectric power plant (HPP) is estimated at 2.2 billion U.S. dollars.
From 2007, when the construction of the Roghun HPP was resumed, to 2009, the country’s budget allocated 684.2 million somoni for completion of Roghun’s construction. The national budget for 2010 earmarked 650 million somoni for the Roghun hydroelectricity project and 271.2 million somoni have been have been allocated over the first six months of this year.
As it had been reported earlier, Tajikistan in August 2007 formally revoked a contract with Russia”s RusAl aluminum company for the construction of the Roghun HPP. The Tajik government accused the company of failing to fulfill the contract signed in 2004. Tajik authorities and RusAl became bogged down in the hydroelectric plant”s dam model and height, crucial factors in its capacity. In April 2008, Tajikistan founded open joint-stock company with an authorized capital of 116 million somoni for completing the construction of the Roghun station. Tajik authorities also plan to create an international consortium to complete the construction of the Roghun power station.
To raise funds to complete construction of the Roghun HPP the government started to sell shares in Roghun to people on January 6 this year. Tajikistan has reportedly issued 6 billion somoni (US$1.37 billion) worth of Roghun shares.
In January-June 2010, more than 40 contracting organizations have been involved in the construction of the Roghun HPP and 65 agreements for a total amount of 700 million have been concluded. A total of 266 million somoni have been allocated for payment of works carried out over the report period. Besides, Tajikistan ahs paid 72.7 million somoni for parts that it needs to complete the first turbines of the power plant and 8.5 million somoni for building materials.
In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe. Minister of Finance Safarali Najmiddinov revealed on October 25 that the funds raised from the sale of shares in open joint-stock company (OJSC) NBO Roghun are expected to reach 880 million somoni until the end of the year.
The 3,600 MWt Roghun hydroelectric power plant is to generate 13 billion kWh of electricity per year. The plant”s completion would substantially increase sales of electricity to neighboring Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan.
