DUSHANBE, January 15, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Of 255 million US dollars earmarked for construction of the Iranian-built hydroelectric power plant (HPP) Sangtuda-2, some 90 million dollars have been spent to this date, according to presidential press service.

These funds have been used for purchase and delivery of necessary equipment as well as construction of builders’ camp, two concrete-producing units, warehouses, labs and other subsidiary facilities.  Work on construction of the main building of the station is progressing, the press service said.  

We will recall that on January 12, 2005, Tajikistan and Iran signed a protocol in Dushanbe for Iran to complete the construction of Tajikistan''s Sangtuda-2 hydropower station.  During President Rahmon’s visit to Iran in January 2006, a number of agreements providing for Iranian assistance for several Tajik infrastructure projects, including construction of the Sangtuda-2 HPP, were signed.

Construction of the stationed officially commenced on February 20, 2006.  The budget for construction of the Sangtuda-2 station was estimated at some 220 million US dollars, comprising Iran’s preferential loan of US$180 million provided for ten years at 5 percent annual interest, and US$40 million equivalent of the Tajik government financing.  Iranian company, Sangab, is constructing the station.

The rated capacity of the Sangtuda-2 station is 220 megawatt and it will generate 1 billion kWh of electrical power per year.  Once the power station is built, all the revenue over the next 12.5 years will go to the investor, and Tajikistan will become the owner of Sangtuda-2 after this period expires.