DUSAHNBE, September 18, Asia-Plus — On Saturday September 16, China’s Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmonov, Energy Minister Abdullo Yorov and top managers from “Barqi Tojik” (Tajik electric system) state-run power holding took part in a ceremony marking the official commencement of the construction of a power transmission line termed the “South-North” line. The ceremony was held in the Chorbogh area in Varzob, some 5 kilometers north of Dushanbe.
Telling the ceremony, President Rahmonov noted that the “South-North” electric main will be a key link in Tajikistan’s electric system. According to him, the electric main is the facility of statewide importance and “the “South-North” power-transmission line will give a new impulse to development of Tajikistan’s economy and allow expanding regional cooperation.”
“It is not the only energy project being implemented in Tajikistan under support of China,” said Rahmonov, “In the near future, China Theban Electric Apparatus Stock Company (CTEAS) will start the construction of the “Lolazor-Obi Mazor” electricity-transmission line in southern Tajikistan.”
For his part, Wen stressed that the construction of the “South-North” electric main is an important project in trade and economic cooperation between China and Tajikistan. “China’s Government attaches special significance to expansion of friendly and neighborly relationships with Tajikistan.” According to him, China will provide assistance to support Tajikistan’s economic and social sectors in future as well.
The Barqi Tojik“ power holding top manager Sharifkhon Samiyev told journalists that at present 150 people and 40 technical machines are working on the construction of the “South-North” electric main. According to him, with putting this facility into operation some 1,000 new jobs will be created in the republic. “Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and other countries of the region are interested in the construction of this electric main because it will allow transmitting electricity to South Asia,” the “Barqi Tojik” head said, noting that the Tajik side will invest US$4.6 million in this project. “Barqi Tojik” has to date invested US$1.8 million in this project,” Samiyev noted. He noted that the “South-North” electric main will allow Tajikistan bypassing Uzbekistan on transmitting electricity to the Sughd province.
We will recall that in April of this year, Tajik Barqi Tojik, the state electrical system holding company, and the Chinese power company China Theban Electric Apparatus Stock Company (CTEAS) signed contracts for the construction of high-voltage electricity transmission lines in Tajikistan. The sides agreed to build the 500-kW, 350-kilometer “South-North” electric transmission line linking Tajikistan”s southern and northern regions and a 220-kW 93-kilometer line, called the “Lolazor-Obi Mazor” line, in the Khatlon province. The projects are worth $281 million and $59 million, respectively.
The “South-North” line will be capable to transmit up to 8 billion kWh of electricity a year; the capacity of the “Lolazor-Obi Mazor” will be some 4 billion kWh of electricity a year.
The total budget for these projects is US $340 million. Of this amount, US $300 million has been provided by China’s Exim Bank in loans. The Exim Bank loan carries an annual interest rate of 2 percent. Tajikistan will contribute US $40 million to the project budget.
