Takhiatash Thermal Power Station Modernisation

Uzbekistan plans to raise a loan of Asian Development Bank (ADB) for about $200 million for a project to modernise the Takhiatash thermal power plant (TPP). The provisional cost of the project is esimated to be $330 million.

 

The government of Uzbekistan and the ADB have reached a preliminary agreement on the financial assistance for the project. In August 2013 ADB provided Uzbekenergo with a grant of $1.2 million for the feasibility study of the project in mid-2013.

Modernization of Takhiatash TPP located in the north-western Uzbekistan, is largely due to the expansion of the oil and gas companies' activities in the development of fields in the Ustyurt plateau.

As part of the modernisation it is planned to install by 2016, two new gas turbines, 140 MW each and construct a cooling tower for two units, 210 MW each. The project will allow to increase plant capacity by 30 percent in addition it will reduce the current discharge of waste water.

Funding is to be provided by the ADB loan funds, the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan and Uzbekenergo's own funds.

Installed capacity of five energy units of Takhiatash thermal power plant currently is 730 MW. The first unit was commissioned in 1956, the fifth - in 1967. The power plant provides electricity to the north-west of the country the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan and the Khorezm region.

Source: Edited - TRENDNewsAgency Article September 2013

Kungrad Soda Ash Plant - Update

The Kungrad soda plant has a capacity to manufacture 102 thousand tons of soda annually. A Major expansion of the facility now underway (2013-2015) is set to double the annual production output to 200 thousand tons. The proposed expansion being carried out by Uzkimyosanoat JSC and the Chinese company CITIC. The project funded by a loan provided by People’s Republic of China in the amount of $81.7 million USD. Besides the Chinese Eximbank loan, the project worth a total of $110 million USD will be financed by a loan from the Reconstruction and Development Fund and Uzhimprom's own funds.

The plant capacity will be expanded by increasing the production of limestone in the Jamansay quarry and technical salt at the resource base of the Kungard soda plant at Barsakelmes. Explored reserves of the Barsakelmes salt field exceed 130 million tons of salt, and the Dzhamansay limestone deposit around 70 million tons.

The main domestic consumers of soda plant are enterprises producing household chemicals and building materials, including the production of various types of glass. Currently the needs of the domestic market were estimated at 70-80 million tons, the remaining volume to be exported.

In 2013 Kungrad soda plant (Ustyurt) exported 22,000 tons of Soda Ash and 78,000 tons of technical salt and limestone to foreign customers. Currently product is exported to Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. An additional 70 employees, mostly graduates of Kungrad Chemical Engineering College were employed in 2013.

This year (Expected to be commision in October 2014) the facility will also start producing quality iodized salt. The raw material will be extracted from Koraumbet salt deposit, not far from the enterprise. The production line, employing an additional 35 technical staff will produce some 10 thousand tons of iodized salt per year.

A further expansion of the production: with the start of commissioning process line for the production of hyper-pressed limestone bricks with a capacity of 20 million pieces a year is also scheduled in the second half of 2014 which will provide a further 65 technical jobs and in 2015, the plant also plans to start significant glass production (30 percent which is planned to be exported).

Sources:

http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/uzbekistan/2084978.html

http://uza.uz/en/business/3754/

http://www.uz24.uz/en/Economics/kungrad-soda-plant-today:-facts-and-figures

Tashkent–Samarkand high-speed rail line

The Tashkent to Samarkand high-speed rail line is a 344 kilometre, high speed rail connection between the two largest cities in Uzbekistan Tashkent. The Talgo 250 train service operates nine times a week under the brand Afrosiyob. See Short Video Constructed from 2011-12 and costing $70 million the line includes both new and rebuilt 1520mm standard C.I.S track, as well as adding modern signalling systems to the route. In addition to building track capable of supporting the high-speed service, other upgraded track was built from Samarkand to the cities of Bukhara and Urgench-Khiva as part of the project. Trains  to Nukus and beyond using the already modernised Uchkuduk-Urgench/Nukus line.  The 344 kilometres high-speed line is capable of speeds up to 250 km/h, with a total travel time between Tashkent and Samarkand of about two hours. The Talgo 250 trainset consists of two power cars, eight passenger cars with a capacity of 257 people and a dining car. Daily commercial service of the Afrosiyob leaves Tashkent at 8:00 am arriving Samarkand at 10.10am. Weekends additional service leaving at 7:00am arriving at 9:10am (see below for timetable) . Train AFROSIYOB From To Days Departure Arrival Ticket price per pax, USD VIP Business class Economy class №162 Tashkent Samarkand Daily 08:00 10:10 60 45 35 №161 Samarkand Tashkent 17:00 19:10 №160 Tashkent Samarkand Sat, Sun 07:00 09:10 №159 Samarkand Tashkent 18:00 20:10 For more information on trains (to/from and within Uzbekistan) go to Advantour (time table above) http://www.advantour.com/uzbekistan/trains.htm Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tashkent%E2%80%93Samarkand_high-speed_rail_line

Tebinbulak titanium-magnetite mine to be developed Amu darya Rayon

A 3.1 billion USD project for the development of titanium-magnetite ores by Uzbekistan's Uzmetkombinat at the Tebinbulak deposit on the Sultan Uiz Dag Ridge in Southern Karakalpakstan (Amu Darya Rayon) has been initiated.

Russia's JSC Uralmekhanobr based in Ekaterinburg last year issued a positive opinion of the technical feasibility of the project. The State Committee on Geology and Mineral Resources has indicated that the mining complex will have a production capacity of some 14.7 million tons of iron ore, as well as further development of up to 1.5 million tons of base iron products annually. Total est. reserves 5 billion tonnes. The field in addition contains valuable titanium and vanadium ore deposits. (Ore has 16.5% Iron content,Titanlium doxide 2% and Vanadium Pentoxide 0.15% content). The project being financed by foreign loans and funding from the Uzbek Government. The Tebinbulak field was discovered in 1937 is similar in type to the Kachkanar field in the South Urals (see http://www.dmgeode.com/DepositPortal.aspx?DepositID=2854).

Kachkanar Mine Urals

Sources: UzDaily
http://www.uzdaily.com/articles-id-26728.htm and http://www.uzdaily.com/articles-id-24445.htm

Update: Uzbek Metallurgical Industrial complex (Uzmetkombinat) plans to start the development of the titanium magnetic ores deposit Tebinbulak this year.  The project is valued at $600 million. It is approved by the Government of Uzbekistan and considers the creation of productive capacity by 2021 and construction of a metallurgical complex on the output of 500 thousand tons of steel products a year.


Source: http://www.rusmininfo.com/news/20-01-2016/%E2%80%9Cuzmetkombinat%E2%80%9D-start-titanium-magnetite-ores-production

Heliskiing in Uzbekistan

The Ugam, Pskem and Chatkal ranges of the Western Tien Shan with their comparatively mild climate and great powder offer ideal conditions for heli-skiing and heli-boarding. The Western Tien Shan with pristine expanses of virgin snow from the high mountain peaks and passes and its continental climate the is one of the best skiing areas in Asia. 

 

The area is known for its stable sunny weather conditions. Usually in five out of seven days, the sun is out making for comfortable skiing. In winter, the temperatures are about -12° C. Ski conditions are ideal its deep powder adheres well on the steep slopes from October up until early May each year.

The Chimgan-Charvak-Beldersay” resort area has become a popular location for Heli-Ski being located conveniently less than 100km from Tashkent. The beautiful mountain slopes of Chimghan tract, at altitudes from 2500 to 4200 m above sea level have runs with an amplitude drop downhill of up to 2 km finishing in the valley.

Chatkal Range
Point	Region / reference	Altitude difference start/finish points of descent, m.	Δh, m	Length, km.
1	Big Chimgan	3300 - 1700	1600	6
1a	Crest of Chimgan	2200 - 1700	500	3
2	Akkul	2890 - 2000	900	6
3	Kyzylnura	3300 - 2400	900	6
4	Aktahta natural boundary	3320 - 2200	1100	5
5	Turasai Akbulak	3200 - 2300	900	6
6	Davan pass	3150 - 2300	850	7
7	Muz Ter pass	3450 - 2300	1150	6
8	Peak 3504	3500 - 2300	1200	6
9	High pass	3800 - 2500	1300	4
10	Peak 3582	3500 - 2500	1000	5
11	Peak 3582	3500 - 2500	1000	5

Photo: Uzbekistan Airways Mi-8 MTV Helicopter. Pskem range
Point	Region / reference	Altitude difference start/finish points of descent, m.	Δh, m	Length, km.
1	Padyr pass	3200 - 1700	1500	8
2	Padyr pass	3300 - 1700	1600	7
3	Kaptarkumysh	3350 - 1600	1700	8
4	Pskemsai	3000 - 2000	1000	6
5	Pskemsai	3600 - 2000	1600	6
6	Ikhanch	3000 - 2300	700	5
7	Oygaing	3400 - 2300	1100	6
8	Oygaing	3400 - 2300	1100	6
9	Barkraksai	4000 - 3000	1000	8
10	Barkraksai	3800 - 3000	800	6
11	Barkraksai	3900 - 3000	900	6
12	Akkapchagai	3900 - 2900	1000	5

Helicopters used on the Range

The Mi-8 with some 50,000 helicopters so far built is by far the largest helicopter make in production world wide. The Mi-8MTV powered by two Klimov TV3-117VM high altitude turboshaft engines has  a hovering ceiling of 6,000 m and a load capacity of 4,000 kg external load. 

Designed to operate in a wide range of ambient air temperatures and so is ideal for mountain use. Able to carry cargoes of up to four tons and has a winch with a capacity of 150 kg the helicopter's cargo cabin is equipped with a heating and ventilation system and has collapsible seats for up to 24 passengers. It can also be converted for air ambulance duties or as a rescue machine with an electric hoist with a boom, over the movable door of the fuselage. Its maximum speed with normal take-off weight is 250 km/hr. Cruise speed with normal take-off weight is 230 km/hr with a flight range with fuel in main tanks of 650 km. Requires a crew of 2-3 (two pilots, one mechanic).

BEAUTIFUL CERAMIC PLATES OF UZBEKISTAN

Map of Uzbekistan