Dushanbe. 18 August. “Asia Plus” — Tajikistan will not be able to realize the project of Rogun HPP without attracting external funding, thinks the US expert in Central Asia Bruce Pannier.
According to him, Tajikistan has no funds to finance the construction of the Rogun hydroelectric power station without assistant.
“Potential foreign investors are afraid to get involved in the dispute between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and staying away from the project of Rogun, while Iran from time to time expresses interest in participating in the project”, – said Bruce Pannier to Azerbaijan news agency Trend via e-mail.
He noted that there are several reasons why Uzbekistan opposes the construction of Rogun HHP.
First of all, Uzbekistan believes that the construction of the high dam in the region, known for its high seismic activity, constitutes a menace, he said.
“If the dam breaks through, the flow of water will flood areas downstream, including the regions in the East of Uzbekistan,” – said the expert.
In addition, Uzbekistan claims that during the filling of the reservoir of the Rogun hydroelectric power station less water will flow in the Amu Darya River. It will have a negative impact on agriculture in Uzbekistan and in the areas located downstream, noticed Pannier.
According to him, there is one more reason why Uzbekistan has taken a negative stance on the construction of the Rogun HPP.
“It lies in the fact that if the dam will be build in Tajikistan the country will have enough electricity not only for internal consumption but also for its exports to Afghanistan, Pakistan and possibly even to India,” – said the expert.
He stressed that “Uzbekistan would like to do the same, but maybe he would not have such an opportunity, if Rogun HPP with power of 3600 megawatts will be build.”
Pannier said that Tajikistan claims that Rogun will be safe even if an earthquake happens, and insists that, during the filling of the reservoir Uzbekistan will not be damaged (this process can take several years, considering the size of the reservoir).
According to the Finance Ministry of the Republic of Tajikistan, since 2007, when OJSC “Rogun” was formed, more than 6 billion 435 million somoni from all sources of funding were sent for the completion of the Rogun HPP.
In addition, about 327 million somoni of the funds raised through the sale of shares of “Rogun” were spent for purchase of equipment for the Rogun hydroelectric power station.
In general, due to the sale of Rogun stocks for about 860 million somoni were gained, part of the money is on deposit accounts of banks in the republic.
