DUSHANBE, March 17, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- The European Union (EU) plans to sponsor rehabilitation of the Qairoqqum hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in the northern Sughd province and allocate funds for installation of electronic meters in Tajikistan.

The source at the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI) says these issues were discussed here yesterday at a meeting of Tajik Minister of Energy and Industries Gul Sherali with the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Ambassador Pierre Morel.

The two discussed issues related to development of energy and industrial sectors in Tajikistan.  Tajik minister acquainted the EU envoy with the state of affairs in Tajikistan’s energy sector and projects for construction of power transmission lines and small and medium-sized hydropower plants in the country.

During his visit to Dushanbe in 2010, Ambassador Morel noted during a meeting with Tajik President Emomali that the European Union could allocate US$60 million for rehabilitation of the Qairoqqum HPP in the Tajik northern Sughd province and construction of small hydropower plants on the Surkhob River in southeast Tajikistan.