DUSHANBE, September 27, 2010, Asia-Plus -- In cooperation with all international organizations, Tajikistan hopes for their support for implementation of the Roghun hydroelectricity project.

The source at the government says Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov remarked this here on Saturday 25 during a meeting with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Vice President for Asia, Eastern Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Rashad Kaldany.

Tajik prime minister noted that although Tajikistan was rich in water and power resources the country now used only a small part of its hydroelectric energy potential, and therefore, Tajikistan has been experiencing severe electricity shortages during winter period.  The situation is also aggravated by actions of neighboring Uzbekistan aimed at energy blockade of our country, the prime minister stressed.

He noted that providing energy security was one of priorities of the Tajik government and the Roghun hydroelectricity project was of strategic significance for the country.

Oqilov reminded that with support from the World Bank Tajikistan had launched techno-economic, social and environmental impact assessments for the Roghun project and Tajikistan planned to set up a consortium for the completion of the construction of the Roghun hydroelectric power plant (HPP) upon completion of the assessments as well as to implement the CASA 1000 project.

Oqilov called on IFC to take an active part in implementation of those projects.  “It should be interesting for IFC because these projects take into account all priorities of IFC’s activity in the region,” Oqilov said.