WATER LEVEL IN NUREK RESERVOIR EXCEEDS DEAD VOLUME BY 1 METER

Source: CA-NEWS, 28.04.2009

The water level in Nurek reservoir of the largest hydroelectric power station in Central Asia is above dead level by 1 meter 4 cm, and mounts to 859 meters above sea level, reported Nurmahmad Holnazarov, the Deputy Chairman of the Joint Stock Holding Company "Barci Tojik".

He noted that current inflow of the Vakhsh river amounts to 608 cubic meters per second. "For the regular mode the hydroelectric power station requires 312 cubic meters of water per second," said Holnazarov.

By the end of the year replacement of the impeller assemblies of two stations will be completed. Upgrade of the station is taking place for the first time in 30-year history of the power plant operation.

Power generated by all stations of republic in the first quarter of this year amounted to 2.44 billion kWh. Imports of Turkmen and Uzbek electricity, that began in early March, amounted to 334.6 million kWh and 165.5 million kWh respectively.

Collection of fees and charges for the provided services were named as a major problem of energy sector. As a result, "Barci Tojik" is unable to pay off tax debts n the amount of 135 million somonis (more than 34.2 million U.S. dollars).

The debt of consumers by the end of the first quarter of 2009 amounted to 308 million somoni (more than 78.17 million U.S. dollars). Over 30% of the accumulated consumer debt accounts to the facilities of Ministry of Land Reclamation and Water Resources, and the same percentage to the "Tajik Aluminum Company".

UN READY TO HELP SOLVE ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF ARAL SEA BASIN

Source: KAZINFORM, D. Zhailin, 28.04.2009

“I am glad that despite the global economic and financial crisis heads of the Central Asian states have agreed to discuss ecological problems of the Aral Sea”, Miroslav Jenca, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative and the Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, has said on behalf of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the Summit of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving Aral Sea in Almaty today. M. Jenca thanked the Kazakh Government for good organization of the summit. He noted that the issues of saving the Aral Sea were for the first time discussed at the meeting of heads of the Central Asian states on October 10, 2008 in Bishkek. “Continuation of this process is very important for strengthening peace and mutual understanding in the region and search for long-term solution on the basis of transparency and cooperation”, he said.

“Water resources of Central Asia are very fragile. For the previous decades the area of the Aral Sea, that once was the world's fourth-largest lake, has decreased by 70%. It threatens sustainable livelihood system”, the UN Secretary General’s address reads.

The Secretary General noted that the International Fund for Saving Aral Sea was able to support the development of mutually beneficial and long-term solution of the Aral Sea problem. He also emphasized that the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia was ready to help solve the problems connected with the Aral Sea and offer intermediary services in the process of future negotiations.

NECESSARY TO SOLVE ISSUES OF ARAL SEA AND WATER-ENERGY SUPPLY OF REGION: N. NAZARBAYEV

Source: KAZINFORM, D. Zhailin, 28.04.2009

“It is necessary to clean the water in the Aral Sea, cultivate cultures of high - value around the river channels and provide the population with clear water”, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has said today in Almaty at the summit of Heads of States, the founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea(IFASS).

As N.Nazarbayev noted, during those years the countries of Central Asia have spent about USD 2 bln. According to him, today Kazakhstan is doing a lot to restore the Small Aral.

“We agreed to continue this work today. New working program on this direction will be developed. We agreed to hold international forum next year as well. The Executive Committee of IFASS will be located in Almaty”, the Head of the State said.