Iran to retain control of Tajik Sangtuda-2 HPP for 14.5 yrs instead of 12.5 yrs
DUSHANBE. Oct 31 (Interfax) - Tajikistan has extended Iran's control of the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectric station by two years to 14.5 years, after which full ownership will be transferred to Tajikistan, the caretaker of Iran's diplomatic mission to Tajikistan Seyed Mahmoud Sadri told journalists on Friday.
"Dushanbe has extended Iran's term of operation of the Sangtuda-2 Hydroelectric Station for two years. It will only be transferred into Tajikistan's ownership after 14.5 years," Sadri said.
"[Tajik state power company] Barki Tojik currently owes $40 million to Sangtuda-2 HPP [for electricity generated]," Sadri said, adding that the indebtedness was the cause for extended Iran's tenure as station operator.
Sangtuda-2 began operating at its full capacity of 220 megawatts in September with the launch of the second, last power block, capping six years of construction work. Iran invested $180 million in the project and Tajikistan - $40 million. Under the terms of the initial agreements, the HPP was to remain under Iran's control for 12.5 years once it began operating at full capacity, after which ownership would revert to Tajikistan.
The plant can generate up to 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. It is a second stage of the more powerful Sangtuda-1 Hydroelectric Station, built by Russian companies. Sangtuda-1 has 670 MW of capacity and can generate up to 2.7 billion kWh a year.
Bakri Tojik, the monopoly buyer and distributor of electricity in Tajikistan, also has major indebtedness to OJSC Sangtuda-1 Hydroelectric Station, whose majority shareholder is the Rosatom state corporation. The debt amounts to 415.7 million somoni ($83.1 million) according to the company's website.
