DUSHANBE, January 26, 2009, Asia-Plus — This is not the first time we have heard negative statements by Uzbek authorities over construction of hydropower facilities on the cross-border rivers, Deputy Energy and Industries Minister, Poulod Muhiddinov, told reporters in Dushanbe today, commenting on recent request of Uzbek President Islam Karimov to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Tashkent for Russia’s influencing Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan over solution of the water problem in the region.
According to him, during a meeting with Tajik delegation in Tashkent last December, Uzbek prime minister noted that the Uzbek head of state was displeased with construction of a 347-meter dam for the Roghun hydroelectric power station (HPS) in Tajikistan.
With support of the World Bank, the Ministry of Energy and Industries has hired international experts to examine the Roghun hydroelectricity project and the experts came to a conclusion that construction of the Roghun HPS would not pose any threat to ecology or water flow systems of the countries of the region, Muhiddinov said. The feasibility study outcomes have been coordinated with all countries of the region, except Uzbekistan that has refused twice to consider the examination outcomes, according to him.
The deputy minister noted that the final version of the feasibility study should be finished during this year.
“We will build the Roghun HPS despite somebody’s displeasures,” Muhiddinov said. He noted that some international financial institutions had expressed wish to finance construction of this station. “Private foreign investors may participate in the project but controlling interest should belong to the Tajik government,” he said.
