KHUJAND, July 13, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- 19 small hydropower plants are expected to be built in the northern Sughd province by the end of this year.

Sodiq Rustamov, the head of the Sughd energy and industries directorate, told Asia-Plus today six power plants will be built in Kuhistoni Mastchoh, three in Ayni district, the same number plants will be built in Jabborrasulov district and Zafarobod, Ghonchi, Asht and Spitamen districts will build one power plant each.

According to him, the plants will have capacities ranging from 15 kW to 4,300 kW.  “Costs of these projects fluctuate from 8,000 US dollars to 3 million US dollars,” Rustamov said, noting that the plants are being built due funds provided by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as well contributions of local foreign entrepreneurs as well as local communities.