Iran plans to build two more hydro power plants in Tajikistan
DUSHANBE. Aug 18 (Interfax) - Iran plans to build two more hydro power plants in Tajikistan as well as the Sangtuda-2 Hydro Power Plant.
The relevant intergovernmental agreement will be signed during a working visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Dushanbe on September 4 to 5, the Iranian Embassy in Tajikistan said in a press release Thursday.
Iran plans to build the Ayni power plant with 150 megawatt capacity on the Zeravshan River and a small hydro power plant with 22 megawatt capacity on the Iskandarya River, a Zeravshan tributary.
"Iran and Tajikistan are currently looking into funding for the Ayni and Iskandarya River power plants," the release said. The cost of the first plant has not been disclosed but the Iskandarya plant will cost around $50 million.
Earlier, China wanted to build the Ayni hydro power plant, but it then changed its mind.
The Sangtuda-2 plant on the Vakhsh River will have capacity of 220 megawatts. The project costs around $220 million and Iran is investing $180 million. After the plant is launched, Iran will obtain all the revenue from electricity sold for 12.5 years, after which the hydro power plant will fully belong to Tajikistan.
Tajikistan has a steady electricity deficit in the winter, estimated at 3 billion to 4 billion kilowatt hours per year. Neighboring Uzbekistan is opposed to the construction of hydro power stations in Tajikistan because it says they will reduce the amount of water available to it for agricultural purposes. Tashkent has also complained to neighboring Kyrgyzstan about the hydro power plant it is building on the Syr Darya.