MOSCOW 5/25/12 (PennWell) -- RusHydro and the government of Russia's Saratov region have signed a cooperation agreement intended to support the development of hydropower projects and a new equipment manufacturing plant.

This new facility, which is a joint venture between RusHydro and Voith Hydro agreed upon at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2011, will in turn produce equipment for Russia's 1,360-MW Saratovskaya hydropower plant.

The agreement stipulates that the government give RusHydro "comprehensive support" for these projects.

As per the agreement, Saratov will provide a site for the manufacturing plant and provide assistance in procuring permits for the land use. The government also says it will reduce lease payments for the project site and foster investments through decreased profit and property taxes.

RusHydro says the parts produced at the new plant will be its first "significant order" and that they will be used as part of Sarayovskaya's US$1.26 billion overhaul that includes the replacement of 21 vertical Kaplan turbines.