Russian min: Mongolia not to build hydro unit threatening Baikal

MOSCOW, May 25 (PRIME) -- Mongolia’s plans to build a hydropower plant on the Selenga River, the main source of water for Russia’s Lake Baikal, will not be implemented, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Sergei Donskoi told reporters Wednesday.

“It will not be built,” he said.

Earlier, Donskoi spoke on numerous occasions about significant environment risks posed by Mongolia’s project.

“In my opinion, there is also an international society, which also opposed construction of the hydropower plant. Among other things, we have applied to the World Bank. In its turn, the World Bank suspended all possible talks on financing, including on our request,” Donskoi said.

Russia is discussing the situation with Mongolia and is ready to ensure power supplies to the country to cover its deficit.

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