DUSHANBE, November 14, 2009, Asia-Plus  - The decision on suspending the operation of the Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power plant may be adopted only by the Board of Directors, which includes authorized representatives of the governments of Tajikistan and Russia, Sanat Rahimov, the head of Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding, said in an interview with Asia-Plus, commenting on a letter sent by Rakhmetuall Alzhanov, director general of open joint-stock company (OJSC) Sangtudinskaya GES-1 (Santuda-1 HPP), to Tajik Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov on November 13.

We will recall that in its letter, the administration of Sangtudinskaya GES-1 warned Tajik authorities of possible interruption in generation of electricity by the Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric plant (HPP) beginning on December 1 due to 28.3 million somoni in arrears that Barqi Tojik owes to Sangtudinskaya GES-1.  Alzhanov noted that Tajik power holding’s debts might increase to more than 42 million somoni by November 30.

According to Rahimov, the debt issue cannot be solved in one day.  “Barqi Tojik will repay its debt to Sangtudinskaya GES-1 stage by stage,” he said.