Tajikistan launches first stage of Sangtuda-2 hydropower plant.

DUSHANBE, September 5 (Itar-Tass) - The first stage of Tajikistan's
hydropower plant Sangtuda-2 that is being constructed under Iran's
financial support was launched on Monday.
Taking part in the inauguration ceremony of the plant's 110-MW first
stage were Tajik and Iranian presidents Emomali Rakhmon and Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad.
"The hydropower plant will be fully commissioned by the end of the
year and its capacity will reach 220 MW," Rakhmon said.
This will partially resolve Tajikistan's acute electric power deficit
that is especially felt in autumn and winter.
The construction of Sangtuda-2 began 110 kilometers southeast of
Dushanbe in February 2006. Iran invested 180 million dollars into the
project. Tajikistan's share totalled 40 million dollars.
Under the two countries' intergovernmental agreement Iran will get
revenues from the plant's electric power generation during 12.5 years and
after this Tajikistan will get full ownership of the plant.
The official talks between Ahmadinejad and Rakhmon that took place at
the residence of the Tajik leader on Sunday evening. The Iranian president
announced his country's readiness to begin the construction of a
hydropower plant on the Zeravshan River in northern Tajikistan soon after
Sangtuda-2 is commissioned.