KHOROG, May 13, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Construction of a small hydropower plant has begun in the village of Tusyon in the Roshtqala district, Gorno Badakhshan.

The Roshtqala chairman Amonsho Navrouzshoyev told Asia-Plus the Government of Japan had provided 401,000 somoni for construction of the power plant.

According to him, the rated capacity of the station will be 350-400 kW.  “Local construction company, Pastarez, is building the plant, which is expected to be finished this fall,” Navrouzshoyev said.

It will be the second small power plant in Tusyon.  “Several years ago, the village community constructed a 137 kW power plant with support from donors,” said the Roshtqala district chairman, “Taking into account the possibility of construction of more powerful station on the Tusyon River and needs of neighboring villages in electricity, the Government of Japan has responded to request of local residents and has supported the construction of the small power plant.”

Under the national plan on construction of small power plants in the country, a 10,000 kW hydropower plant, Sebzor, is expected to be built in Roshtqala by 2012, Navrouzshoyev added.