Rusal: Boguchanskaya Energy, Aluminum To Start In 2010

　　LONDON, Aug 11, 2008 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex)--Russian aluminum giant United Company Rusal said Monday that its joint hydropower and aluminum smelter operation with Russian renewable energy company RusHydro is on track to begin by late 2010 and be at full capacity by 2012. 　　The construction of the 3,000 megawatt Boguchanskaya hydropower plant and the 600,000 metric ton a year Boguchansky aluminum smelter in the Krasnoyarsk region are underway in line with the companies' business plans, Rusal said. 　　Since the beginning of the project both companies have invested over $1.8 billion, and by the end of 2008 that investment is expected to reach $2.6 billion. 　　By the end of the year, most of the aluminum smelter facilities will be built, the company said. The construction plan also includes a new railway station and tracks, construction of which will start later this year. 　　The hydropower plant will feed the aluminum smelter, ands Rusal said it will also provide electricity for the territory near the Lower Angara River. In the first half of 2009, the project team will proceed with placing orders for electrical equipment for the hydropower plant, Rusal said. So far 65% of the investment has been spent on construction works. 　　-By Devon Maylie, Dow Jones Newswires