DUSHANBE, December 17, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- To introduce the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectric power plant (HPP) into operation we have to solve some technical problems, the source in Barqi Tojik power holding (the state-owned utility responsible for generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Tajikistan) told Asia-Plus on December 17.

According to him, “the process of adaptation of the power plant to the country’s power system has gone all the time.”

“The power plants Sangtuda-1, Sarband and Tsentralnaya (Central) are located near the Sangtuda-2, while electricity requires synchronization of all systems,” said the source.  “Tajik and Iranian specialists have been solving these problems since the ceremony to unveil the Sangtuda-2 dam and power plant that took place in early September.”

As far as the price of electricity generated by the Sangtud-2 HPP is concerned, he noted that it would be sold at 3 cents per one kWh.

We will recall that Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Iranian Energy Minister Majid Namjou on November 28, 2010 pressed buttons that detonated explosives, blocking the Vakhsh River for construction of the dam.

Construction of Sangtuda-2, a 220-megawatt plant on the Vakhsh River, officially commenced in February 2006.  It is located some 120 kilometers southeast of Dushanbe.  Iran has invested US$180 million and Tajikistan US$40 million in the project.  Once the power station is built, all the revenue over the next 12.5 years will go to the investor and Tajikistan will become the owner of Sangtuda-2 after this period expires.

The power plant on the Vakhsh River, 150 kilometers south of the capital, Dushanbe, is expected to help alleviate power shortages in Tajikistan.