KHOROG, December 18, 2008, Asia-Plus — A test activation of Unit 3 at the hydroelectric power plant (HPP) Pamir-1 that is located in the Shugnan district of Gorno Badakhshan was carried out on December 17.
We will recall that the supply of daily electricity has been reduced in some areas of Khorog, the capital of Gorno Badakhshan and nearby villages. The measure was introduced on December 9 in connection with repairs to Unit 3. The introduced measure resulted in the supply of daily electrical power to some areas of Khorog and nearby villages being reduced by four hours. The representatives of Pamir Energy Company (PamirEnergy) noted that repairs to the runner of Unit 3 that would be finished not later than December 19 and the electricity supply reduction would be lifted.
The station specialists dismantled the unit and it turned out that a metallic object had got into unit’s runner. They repaired fault and carried out test activation of the unit yesterday.
Asked about lifting the electricity supply reduction, they said it would depend on work of the repaired unit.
We will recall that Finance Minister Safarali Najmuddinov and the World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan Ms. Chiara Bronchi on November 26 officially signed amendments to the Credit Agreement on Pamir Private Power Project to take account of the additional grant financing for this project of 2.5 million US dollars. The additional financing will help cover the costs associated with the unexpected need to restore and repair equipment and facilities damaged by the February 2007 flooding at the Pamir-1 HPP. The funds provided by the World Bank will focus on the measures to prevent further occurrence of such accidents and address long-term sustainability of the plant.
The Pamir Private Power Project is a successful public-private partnership between the Government of Tajikistan, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), as the main private sponsor, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
