DUSHANBE, March 10, Asia-Plus — The World Bank is ready to carry out both techno-economic and environmental and social studies for the Roghun hydroelectric power plant (HPP), the World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia, Mr. Motu Konishi, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe today following almost three-hour talks with President Emomali Rahmon.
According to him, Tajikistan had applied to the World Bank with solicitation to carry out these assessment studies long ago. “The Bank was seeking the finance source for carrying these studies and the Bank has found the source and I informed President Rahmon of this today,” Mr. Konishi said.
The Bank intends to enlist the services of a group of experts from many countries to carry out the assessment studies and the studies’ findings will be sent to all interested countries of Central Asia. If the findings are positive, the World Bank is ready to provide assistance to Tajikistan with creation of international consortium to complete the construction of the Roghun HPP, the WB director for Central Asia said.
He added that a memorandum on carrying out the assessment studies for the Roghun HPP would be signed with the Government of Tajikistan in the near future.
Mr. Konishi noted that some three month were needed for preparatory period for carrying out the studies and carrying out the assessment studies would take 12 to 18 months.
During the period of carrying out the assessment studies, the Tajikistan will continue recovery work at the site for the Roghun HPP, he stressed.
The WB director for Central Asia also noted that feasibility study for the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA 1000) was expected to be completed in August or September this year.
CASA-1000 involves: 1) construction of a high-voltage power transmission line from Tajikistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan and strengthening of transmission infrastructure in the affected countries (including possibly in Kyrgyzstan as well); and 2) development of the associated electricity trading arrangements.
