Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have begun the first stage of construction of two hydroelectric power stations on the Zarafshan River, RIA Novosti reports.

“Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have started the first stage of construction of two HPPs on the Zerafshan River. The first stage is geological exploration and survey work, which will last at least three months,” said Daler Juma, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan.

The second stage will be a feasibility study of the project, which will take about six months. During this stage, the final cost of the project will be calculated, the minister noted.

According to the press service of the President of Tajikistan, the construction of these HPPs is the first major project in the energy cooperation between Dushanbe and Tashkent.

First of all, the parties plan to build the Yavan HPP with a capacity of 140 megawatts. Its cost will be approximately US$282 million. Then the parties will be engaged in the construction of the Fandaryo HPP with a capacity of 135 megawatts and a cost of about US$270 million.

Recall that during his visit in 2021, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed an agreement on the joint construction of two hydroelectric power plants in Tajikistan on the Zarafshan River.

Especially for the project, the operator "TaUz Hidro" was created. The project will be financed by investments from international financial institutions and the parties’ own funds, which will be included in the authorized capital of the joint venture. Leading international institutions, including the Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, have expressed interest in financing the project.