DUSHANBE, August 14, 2008, Asia-Plus — Chinese Sinohydro Corporation is considering the possibility of participation in construction of the Nourobod-2 hydroelectric power plant (HPP) on the Khingob River in eastern Tajikistan.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI), the Nourobod-2 station that will have the rated capacity of 200 megawatt and will generate 740 million kWh of electrical power per year is supposed to be constructed some 23 kilometers of the Khingob mouth.
The source at a MoEi noted that the ministry had already prepared a draft agreement on construction of that hydropower plant and submitted it for consideration to the Chinese side.
“After signing of the agreement the Chinese side will start conducting feasibility study for construction of the stations,” the source said, noting that the preliminary cost of the project will be determined after completion of the feasibility study.
In the meantime, according to some sources, the preliminary budget for implementation of the project is some $200 million.
We will recall that in January 2007, China”s Sinohydro Corporation was also awarded a contract to build a large hydroelectric plant in northern Tajikistan. The relevant contract was signed on January 17 2007 in Beijing, on the sidelines of President Emomali Rahmon”s visit to the Chinese capital. The project should be funded through a $200 million, low-interest Chinese loan. The Zarafshon plant should generate some 600 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year.
However, implementation of the Zarafshon hydroelectricity project has been suspended, following a note of objection by Uzbekistan, which claims that the project will affect irrigation in its four regions.
Meanwhile, German experts said in June 2008 that implementation of the project for construction of hydro electric power plant on the Zarafshon River will not affect irrigation in Uzbekistan. Professor Frank Schroder looked at the site for construction of the hydropower station on Zarafshon River and said that it did not threaten irrigation of neighboring Uzbekistan’s lands.
Sinohydro Corporation operates as a hydropower engineering and construction company. The company engages in architectural projects, electric power investment, house property and real estate, research and development, and design and manufacture of construction equipment. It provides investment, project financing, consultation, and construction services. The company also engages in the manufacture and installation of mechanical and electrical plants. It trades in water conservancy, power generation, expressway, railway, harbor and sea-route, airport, municipal public utility, and building industries. The company was founded in 1950 and is based in Beijing, China. Sinohydro Corporation has operations in Asia, Africa, Europe, and America.
