DUSHANBE, November 26, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- 43 new small hydropower plants have been introduced into operation in Tajikistan since the beginning of this year, according to the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI).

During the last month alone, five small hydropower plants were introduced into operation in the country.

These hydropower plants have been built due to funds provided by the State Committee for Investments and State-owned Property Management, the Customs Service as well as local investor, the source at a MoEI said.

190 small hydropower plants with a total capacity of 14 MW now operate in the country; 96 of them operate all the year round while 94 others operate only during autumn-winter period.

The source added that construction of 23 other small hydropower plants was under way and they were expected to be introduced into operation by the end of this year.