DUSHANBE, March 31, Asia-Plus  -- Work on modernization of the Varzob-1 power plant has not yet started, according to the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI).

The source at a MoEI said India’s National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd. (NHPC) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) had been supposed to manufacture the necessary equipment last year already.  “However, the equipment has not yet arrived in the country,” the source said.  

To modernize the power station India intended to provide $13 million.  A memorandum of understanding (MoU on modernization of the Varzob-1 was signed in Dushanbe on August 6, 2007.  

Modernization will allow increasing the plant’s capacity from 3.5 MW to 9.4 MW, and after the modernization the plant is expected to serve another 50 years.  

3.5 MW Varzob-1, one of three power plants of the Varzob Cascade (a total of more than 26 MW), was constructed in 1936.  Varzob Cascade hydropower stations also include Varzob-2 (14.76 MW) and Varzob-3 (3.52 MW).  They also need to be rehabilitated to increase utilization and efficiency.

Specialists from Barqi Tojik say that the Varzob-1 power plant has practically not been in operation over the last years and rehabilitation would include primarily the turbines, runners, substations, and ancillary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, and some piping.