Assessment studies for Roghun hydroelectricity project to be discussed in Almaty

DUSHANBE, May 11, 2011, Asia-Plus -- The World Bank organizes the first information-sharing and discussion meeting on the assessment studies for the Roghun hydroelectricity project.

According to information posted on World Bank’s website, the meeting on the Assessment Studies of the proposed Roghun Regional Water Reservoir and Hydropower Project (Roghun HPP) in Tajikistan will take place in the World Bank Central Asia Regional Office in Almaty, Kazakhstan on May 19.

The meeting is expected to bring together a range of civil society organization (CSO) CSO stakeholders from the riparian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan).

The World Bank appreciates the difficult environment in which the proposed Roghun HPP is being studied. At the request of the Central Asian governments, the Bank is working to ensure the technical quality of the two Assessment Studies (Techno-Economic Assessment Study and the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment), which are being undertaken to assess technical soundness, economic viability, and any impact that the proposed Rogun HPP could potentially have on environment or population, including those in the riparian countries.  To this end, the World Bank is convening two Independent Panels of Experts, undertaking Bank-funded studies, and leading consultations with riparian countries.

The first information-sharing and discussion meeting with civil society organizations from riparian countries will focus on the inception reports for both Assessment Studies, which were prepared by the consultants contracted for carrying out the Assessment Studies, and which outline the work programs and study approaches for both Techno-Economic Assessment Study and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.  Members of the Independent Panels of Experts will provide comment and guidance on the approaches, and share their observations with meeting participants. In addition, the meeting will discuss the role of the Panels of Experts, and seek input of the participating CSOs on the approach to riparian consultations.