Challenge

In 2005, UES launched the construction of Sangtuda Hydroelectric Power Station 1 in the Republic of Tajikistan and registered a company of the same, Sangtuda HEPS 1, to operate the facility (75% Russian ownership, 25% Republic of Tajikistan interest)

With the power station planned for construction in 2005-2009, effective tools had to be developed for communication between the Russian and Tajikistani parties to ensure that the project remained on schedule and all parties met their obligations in full; Polylog's tasks included:

• Designing mechanisms for creating, assembling and transmitting information on the project;
• Organizing activities to ensure constructive understanding among the participants, so that project schedules and targets could be met.

Solution

Power industry session

Three types of activities were organized:

1. Receptions for decision-makers;
2. Events for the general public;
3. Media events.

Two of the key events were:

Sangtuda HEPS 1 participates in the first Russian national exhibition in Tajikistan:

• Sangtuda HEPS 1's exhibit was recognized as the best of the 78 exhibits at the event
• During the event's three days the exhibit was visited by more than 3,500 people
• Over 300 successful business contacts were made
• 85 poster presentations with answers to visitors' questions
• 18 television features from the exhibit for Russian and Tajikistani channels
• A press conference including 35 Russian, local and international media representatives
• A round table on the development of energy cooperation between the two countries including power plant executives, Russian officials, and Tajikistani leaders

Gala Concert

Power Industry Day in Tajikistan, including:

• A promotional campaign using electronic mass media in Tajikistan
• Educational and cultural events in Dushanbe schools
• Round table press conference
• Gala concert
• Informal reception including ministers from the government of Tajikistan
• Campaign in the Russian and local media

Results

• Sangtuda HEPS 1's recognition rating rose from 32% to 87%, and the power utility operator's positive perception rating rose from 27% to 65%
• Project leaders from the executive and legislative branches of the Tajikistani government made positive public comments on the construction of the new hydroelectric power station
• Tax incentives for Sangtuda HEPS 1 were approved in 2006