DUSHANBE, August 28, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik energy authorities have launched inspection of technical state of local power plants following the recent hydropower plant accident in Russia, according to Barqi Tojik power holding.

The Barqi Tojik specialists are currently inspecting all thermal and hydro power plants in the country.  “The accident at the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in Russia has made us inspect our power facilities,” the source at Barqi Tojik said.

According to him, by energy minister’s order working group have been set up to inspect technical state of Tajik power plants. 

We will recall that on August 17, 2009, the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP, which  the largest power plant in Russia and the world''s sixth-largest hydroelectric plant by average power generation, suffered a catastrophic "pressure surge" known as a water hummer.  Water immediately flooded the engine and turbine rooms and caused a transformer explosion.  As of 27 August 2009, 71 people were found dead while 4 people are still listed as missing.  Power generation from the station ceased completely following the incident, with the resulting blackout in residential areas being alleviated by diverting power from other plants.