DUSHANBE, March 10, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Georgy Petrov, head of the hydropower laboratory within the Institute for Water, Hydropower and Ecology Problems of the Tajik Academy of Sciences, considers that the assessment studies for the Roghun hydroelectricity project will not change Uzbekistan’s attitude to the construction of the Roghun HPP considerably.

According to him, Uzbekistan is concerned over the regime of operation of the future power plant rather than over the assessment studies.  “Uzbekistan’s concerns are connected, first of all, with the operating regime,” said Petrov, “However, it seems that Uzbeks do not know exactly what they want.  It is possible to carry out the assessment study any time.  Even if the first study is unsatisfactory, it is possible to complete the project and finally get positive conclusion.”

Tajikistan should convince neighbors that there is no reason for concerns over the regime of operation of the future power plant.  “We must convince Uzbekistan that we will take into consideration interests of neighbors while operating the facility,” the expert said, noting that unlike other countries of the region, Tajikistan has always taken Uzbekistan’s interests into account.

Petrov is sure that the Roghun hydroelectricity project may successfully pass through any examination.  “All aspects, ranging from seismic safety to the environmental protection, have been taken into consideration in this project,” said he.  “We should not be afraid of any examination, because we have nothing to conceal.”