Korean companies build next generation small HPP in Gorno Badakhshan

DUSHANBE, February 17, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- South Korean companies Dohwa Engineering and Hyosung jointly with the Pamir Energy Company (PamirEnergy) have begun construction of a 300 kW hydropower plant in the village of Motravn in the Vanj district, Gorno Badakhshan.

Abdullo Amonbekov, a spokesman for PamirEnergy, says the latest technologies are being used for construction of that plant.  “It will be an afflux type hydroelectric plant without diversion canal,” Amonbekov said, noting that the construction of a new hydropower plant on the Yazgulem River is expected to be completed in six months.

According to him, this plant that will allow meeting requirements of 180 residents of the Motravn village in electricity will be built due to a grant awarded by the Government of South Korea.

Dohwa Engineering has recently opened the Project Management Unit (PMU) in Khorog, the PamirEnergy spokesman said, noting that PamirEnergy and Dohwa Engineering signed a memorandum on further cooperation on training of personnel, improvement of power system in Gorno Badakhshan and construction of small hydroelectric power plant in mountain villages of the region.

A decision on construction of the small hydroelectric power plant in the village of Motravn, GBAO’s Vanj district was made last year during a meeting of Minister of Energy and Industries with top managers of Korean KOICA.

PamirEnergy is a joint project of the Government of Tajikistan, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), the World Bank’s private finance division, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).  A total cost of the project is some 26.5 million U.S. dollars, including the Tajik government’s contribution of 10 million U.S. dollars.

The company has a 25 year concession on the assets formerly under the management on Barqi Tojik (Tajik electricity supplier) in Gorno Badakhshan.  In exchange for this concession (management right), PamirEnergy has invested in completing the Pamir hydropower station, rehabilitating power generation, transmission and distribution assets, and improving the management of the company.

The company now operates eleven hydropower plants in the region.  In the winter time, a total capacity of these plants is reportedly some 43 megawatts.