Rahmon invites Russia to set up energy-intensive production facilities in Tajikistan using Tajik HPPs' green energy

DUSHANBE. Nov 21 (Interfax) - Tajikistan is ready to provide its territory to Russia for setting up energy-intensive production facilities using green energy, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon said.

"Tajikistan has opportunities for setting up energy-intensive production facilities on its territory using green energy with a minimal impact on the environment. We are expressing our readiness to develop constructive mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia in this area," Rahmon said following summit-level talks in Moscow.

Tajikistan is actively developing green energy in light of its vast hydroelectric power resources, he said.

Tajikistan has 13,000 glaciers, which make up 68% of Central Asia's water resources, Rahmon said. Tajikistan is ranked eighth in the world in terms of the total amount of hydroelectric power resources and second in their reserves per capita.

"Today, the country produces 98% of electricity using hydropower plants; in other words, renewable sources, green energy, [and] is in sixth place in the world for this indicator. We intend to double the capacity for generating clean electricity, as the key foundation for promoting the green economy," Rahmon said.

The Tajik president is paying an official visit to Russia on Tuesday. At a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he addressed, among other things, uranium mining in Tajikistan and the construction of the Sangtuda 1 Hydroelectric Power Plant, adding that "certain unresolved issues still exist."

Sangtuda HPP 1 is a joint venture between Russia and Tajikistan, established on February 16, 2005, to finish building and operate a hydropower plant on the Vakhsh river.