KHOROG, December 10, 2008, Asia-Plus — The supply of daily electricity has been reduced in some areas of Khorog, the capital of Gorno Badakhshan and nearby villages.
According to Pamir Energy Company (PamirEnergy), the measure was introduced on December 9 in connection with repairs to Unit 3 at the hydroelectric power plant (HPP) Pamir-1.
“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 source said, noting that electricity supplies will be cut off every other day for four hours in the morning (from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) or in the evening (from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.).
“The measure was introduced in connection of repairs to the runner of Unit 3 that will be finished not later than December 19 and the electricity supply reduction will be lifted,” the source said.
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).
