DUSHANBE. June 10. “Asia-Plus” -- The delay in construction of the 220KWt Sangtuda – Puli Umri power line is connected with technical reasons. The delay in construction of the given facility is mainly connected with lack of construction materials which are being blocked on the territory of Uzbekistan, Tajik Ministry of Industry and Energy told the AP.

According to the plan, the construction is planned to be finished by November this year, but it was suggested to Afghanistan to speed up the construction and put it into operation in May this year, the source said.

“In general, such factors as the delay in construction are always taken into account during the design of the construction plan and we do hope that all construction works will be finished by November this year enabling Tajikistan to export surpluses of electric power to Afghanistan in summer period,” the source added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Barqi Tojik power supplying company Rashid Gulov told the AP that large Tajik hydropower plants are discharging water from reservoirs. “This happens due to lack of access to other states and markets to sell energy surpluses. Taking into account this year’s high water level, energy surpluses will make nearly 4 billion Kwt/hour,” he said, adding that this year Tajikistan did not sign any agreement with Uzbekistan on export of energy during summer period.

According to Mr. Gulov, Sangtuda – Puli Umri power line will let Tajikistan export approximately 300 megawatt of energy surpluses during summer period.