DUSHANBE, November 14, 2008, Asia-Plus  - Specialists from Russia’s open joint-stock company (OJSC) Inter RAO YeES (Unified Energy Systems) have begun work on developing projects for construction of three hydroelectric power plants in Tajikistan.

We will recall that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between Inter RAO YeES and Tajikistan’s of Energy and Industries (MoET) in developing new energy projects in Tajikistan was signed in Dushanbe on August 29, 2008 during Russian President Medvedev’s official visit to Tajikistan.

The source at a MoET said that a joint working group had been set up for implementation of the document signed in Dushanbe.  The group has already held two meetings in Tajikistan.  

The Tajik side has offered Inter RAO YeES three projects – the Urfat hydropower plant on the Khingob River, the Obburdon hydropower plant on the Zarafshon River, and the Yavroz hydropower plant on the Kofarnihon River.  

“Russian specialists have already received raw data necessary for conducting feasibility,” said the source, “However, to conduct more detailed survey of the projects the working group will hold another meeting in Tajikistan before the end of this year and Russian specialists will visit sites for construction of the stations.”

The Russian company is expected to complete feasibility study for implementation of the projects within the first quarter of 2009.