DUSHANBE, April 9, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Twenty-two small hydropower plants are expected to be constructed in Tajikistan by the end of this year, according to the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI).

The source at a MoEI says two small hydropower plants have been introduced into operation in Tursunzoda and Baljuvon districts recently – the Shirkent station with capacity of 583kW has been built in Tursunzoda and the Yerma station with capacity of 180kW has been built in Baljuvon.

“Besides, two other small power plants - Sanigikar (1MW) in Rasht district and Pitavkul (1.1MW) in Jirgatol district – will be introduced into operation this month,” he said.

Construction of the Marzich hydropower plant with capacity of 4.3MW in Ayni district is expected to be completed until the end of the first half-year of 2011.

240 small hydropower plants have reportedly been constructed in the country since 1991; 13 of them are currently under repair.

We will recall that the national small hydropower plant construction program designed for 2009-2020 provides for construction of 189 small hydropower plants in Tajikistan over the report period.