DUSHANBE, September 24, Asia-Plus — Work on modernization of the Varzob-1 hydropower plant is in full swing and will be finished in time, Rashid Gulov, the deputy engineer-in-chief with Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric system) power holding, said in an interview with Asia-Plus today morning.
According to him, India’s National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) have thoroughly studied the technical state of the plant and they are currently are manufacturing the necessary equipment for the plant.
The Barqi Tojik official said that the Varzob-1 power plant requires “full modernization.”
Specialists from Barqi Tojik say that rehabilitation would include primarily the turbines, runners, substations, and ancillary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, and some piping. Modernization will allow increasing the plant’s capacity from 3.5 MW to 9.4 MW.
The Indian side has provided $13 million for modernization of the Varzob-1 power plant. According to specialists, after the modernization the plant will serve another 50 years.
3.5 MW Varzob-1, one of three power plants of the Varzob Cascade (a total of more than 26 MW), was constructed in 1936. Varzob Cascade hydropower stations also include Varzob-2 (14.76 MW) and Varzob-3 (3.52 MW). They also need to be rehabilitated to increase utilization and efficiency.
National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC), A Govt. of India Enterprise, was incorporated in the year 1975 with an authorized capital of Rs. 2000 million and with an objective to plan, promote and organize an integrated and efficient development of hydroelectric power in all aspects. Later on NHPC expanded its objects to include other sources of energy like Geothermal, Tidal, Wind etc. At present, NHPC is a schedule ”A” Enterprise of the Govt. of India with an authorized share capital of Rs. 1,50,000 million. With an investment base of over Rs. 2,20,000 million, NHPC is among the top ten companies in India in terms of investment.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is India’s largest manufacturer of heavy electrical machinery. The US $ 3.3 billion company designs and manufacturers more than 50 products at 11 plants, including large hydro generators at Bhopal.
In the meantime, the reliable a source at the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI) told Asia-Plus that work on modernization of the Varzob-1 power plant had not yet started and modernization will scarcely be finished before the end of this year, as it was planned.
We will recall that Tajik Minister Energy and Industries, Sherali Gul, and Indian Deputy Foreign Minister, Nilakantan Ravvi singed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on reconstruction (modernization) of the Varzob-1 power plant in Dushanbe on August 6, 2007.
