DUSHANBE, December 13, Asia-Plus — Introduction of the 220- kV 93-kilometer power transmission line Lolazor-Khatlon, which has been constructed by China’s Tebian Electric Apparatus Stock Co., Ltd (TBEA), into operation is postponed to next March, Asia-Plus has learned at the unit for management of hydroelectricity projects.
The source at the unit said that the introduction of the power grid into operation was postponed in connection with inclusion of construction of additional domestic 110-kV power transmission line Khatlon-Bokhtar into the initial project.
According to him, the additional power-transmission line is necessary for providing more effective electricity supplies to the Kulob region of Khatlon, and construction of this power-transmission line will be financed out of proceeds of the same China’s loan of $55.1 million, which has been provided for construction of the Lolazor-Khatlon power grid.
“Funds built into any project include 10-percent expenses on unanticipated needs,” said the source, “For example, inflation, rise in prices of building materials and so forth are taken into account.” The additional power grid will also be constructed by China’s TBEA, he said.
We will recall that in April 2006, Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding and TBEA signed contracts for the construction of high-voltage electricity transmission lines in Tajikistan. They agreed to build the 500-kV, 350-kilometer “South-North” line, linking Tajikistan”s southern and northern regions, and a 220-V 93-kilometer line, called the “Lolazor-Khatlon” line, in the Khatlon province.
A total cost of The Lolazor-Khatlon project is $58 million. The Chinese side provides $55.1 million in preferential loan, carrying an annual interest of 2 percent, and Tajikistan contributes $2.9 million to the project budget. The capacity of the Lolazor-Khatlon power grid will be some 4 million kWh of electricity a year and it will allow exporting Tajik electrical power to Afghanistan.
