DUSHANBE, February 12, 2014, Asia-Plus -- The Indian Embassy in Dushanbe expresses concern about Barqi Tojik (Tajik state-controlled electricity supplier)’s allegation that its commission revealed shortcomings in work of Indian companies that were engaged in modernization of the Varzob-1 hydroelectric power plant (HPP) as unfounded.

A letter released by the Indian Embassy on February 10 notes that “in a very brief terms, the upgradation and machinery is completely computer controlled and of a high design.”

“Several times we have had to remind Barqi Tojik to train their engineers to properly run the plant.

“In October 2013, engineers deputed from India found that someone had deleted the entire programming of the control system and the turbines stopped working.”

According to the letter, four engineers from BHEL are currently training Barqi Tojik engineers in the operation of the plant.

We will recall that according to Barqi Tojik, a full acceptance of the work carried out by Indian companies has been postponed for uncertain period as Barqi Tojik’s commission has allegedly revealed shortcomings in modernization of the plant.  

Two Indian companies -- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and the National Power Corporation (NHPC) – have been engaged in rehabilitation and modernization of the Varzob-1 HPP and the Indian Government has awarded a US$17 million grant for implementation of the project.

The Indian Embassy says this sum has subsequently grown to 24 million USD.

The Varzob-1 HPP provides electricity and drinking water to the Varzob district.  The system of the Varzob HPPs consists of three power stations.  The largest is the HPP-2 with the capacity of 14.76 megawatts and the capacity of the HPP-3 is 3.52 megawatts.  The Varzob-1 HPP was the first hydroelectric power plant commissioned in Soviet Tajikistan in 1936.