KULOB, June 26, 2009, Asia-Plus -- An official opening of the Kulob small hydropower plant has been held today.

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, the Kulob deputy mayor Pirmad Zaripov said that the building and infrastructure for the station had been constructed by Kulobdehotsokhtmon (Kulob state enterprise for rural construction) and the equipment delivered from China had been installed by specialists from the limited liability company, Diamond-C.  According to him, this company represents interests of China’s firms in Tajikistan.

A total cost of the project for construction of the plant, including purchase and delivery of the equipment fro China, is 885,000 somoni, Zaripov said.

The plant has rated capacity of 225 kW and local authorities hope that it will allow easing power shortages during autumn-winter period, when electricity rationing is introduced in the country.