DUSHANBE, May 15, Asia-Plus -- It is supposed to double number of builders working on the construction of Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power plant.

This issue was discussed at a meeting with participation of senior representatives from the Unified Energy Systems of Russia (RAO YeES) and Tajik energy sector that was held in the site for the plant on May 12. 

The meeting was held to discuss measures to speed up the construction of the Santuda-1 station.  The source at the RAO YeES representative office in Dushanbe, has told Asia-Plus that Vyacheslav Voronin, the RAO YeES deputy head, Abdullo Yorov, Tajik Energy Minister, as well as senior representatives from the “Barqi Tojik” (Tajik electric system) opened joint-stock holding company and contractor companies took part in the meeting’s work.  

Participants at the meeting summed up the results of work carried out since the beginning of the year.   

During the meeting it was noted that the most topical issue was the construction of drainage tunnels at the plant.  Special technique and machines for concreting have been delivered from Russia to Tajikistan and at present they are still in Dushanbe,” said the source, “We are currently sending them to the site.  A delay is not so considerable – some two weeks.” 

The other important issue is creation on necessary conditions for builders.  In near future, more skilled specialists will be recruited, according to the source.  At present some 2,000 builders (mostly citizens of Tajikistan) are working on the construction of the station and it is supposed to double the number of workers, the RAO YeES representation source said.

We will recall under protocol signed in Dushanbe in January last year Russia is completing the construction of Tajikistan’s Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power on the Vakhsh River, some 120 kilometers east of Dushanbe.  The construction of the Sangtuda-1 station officially commenced on April 15, 2005.  The 670MWt Sangtuda-1 station will be capable to generate 2.7 billion kWh of electricity a year.  The estimated budget for the implementation of this project is US$482 million, and ownership shares are assessed as follows: RAO YeES owns 75 percent and Tajikistan – 25 percent.  

The station should be finished in four years, by April 15 2009.