Page 482 – The Times Of Central Asia

20 Nov 2024

Central Asia, Environment, Kyrgyzstan Environment, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs

EBRD Supports Water Infrastructure Upgrades in Northern Kyrgyzstan

November 20, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a financial package of up to €17 million to upgrade water infrastructure in three cities in northern Kyrgyzstan. The funding includes a loan of up to €7.6 million and a matching grant.

The funds will be used to modernize water supply networks, upgrade pumping stations, install water meters in Kemin and Shopokov, and restore wastewater treatment and sewerage systems in Talas.

In addition to the financial package, the projects will receive a technical cooperation grant of up to €1.8 million. This grant will support the implementation process and the corporate development of municipal utilities in the three cities.

Hüseyin Özhan, EBRD Managing Director for Central Asia, highlighted the Bank’s role as a key lender to Kyrgyzstan’s water sector. “We have supported 31 water projects for the amount of more than €190 million in 26 cities across the Kyrgyz Republic to date. They are helping households and businesses to have regular access to high-quality water and wastewater services,” Özhan stated.

Since beginning its operations in Kyrgyzstan in 1992, the EBRD has invested approximately €998 million across 250 projects. These initiatives primarily focus on sustainable infrastructure and private sector development, significantly improving living conditions and economic opportunities in the region.

20 Nov 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan Justice, Justice, Tajikistan International Affairs, Tajikistan, International Affairs

Chinese Foreign Ministry Condemns Attack on Tajik-Afghan Border That Killed a Chinese Citizen

November 20, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has confirmed the death of one Chinese citizen and the injury of four others following an attack near the Tajik-Afghan border. The incident, which occurred on November 18, targeted a camp operated by a private Chinese company on the Tajik side of the border. “China strongly condemns this brutal attack, expresses deep sorrow for the victims, and extends sincere condolences to the families of the victims,” stated the ministry.

A working group from the Chinese Embassy in Dushanbe has arrived at the site to provide assistance and coordinate further actions.

Rising Security Concerns
Chinese companies, particularly those involved in mining activities such as gold extraction, are active in the region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged the Tajik authorities to expedite investigations to determine the circumstances of the attack. “Given the security situation in the Tajik-Afghan border area, we remind Chinese citizens and enterprises in the region to pay special attention to security,” the ministry warned.

The incident took place in the Shamsiddin Shokhin area along the 1,350-kilometer Tajik-Afghan border. Initial reports suggest the attack was carried out by armed individuals crossing from the Afghan side during the night of November 17–18.

Motives Remain Unclear
As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, the incident occurred in the Shamsiddin Shokhin area on the 1,350-kilometer-long Tajik-Afghan border. The attackers’ motives and identities remain unknown. Local sources indicate that the incident may be linked to either militant activity or drug smuggling, but no official confirmation has been provided.

In addition to the Chinese casualties, a local resident was also wounded. All injured individuals have been taken to the Shamsiddin Shokhin District Hospital for treatment. The Tajik authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the attack.

20 Nov 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Business Economy, International Affairs, Local Politics, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan to Begin Purchasing Electricity from Rogun HPP

November 20, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

Kazakhstan has announced plans to purchase electricity from Tajikistan’s Rogun hydropower plant (HPP), a major facility currently under construction. According to a draft agreement published on Tajikistan’s official legal information portal, the cooperation between the two countries is set to last for 20 years, with an option to extend for an additional 10 years.

The price for the electricity is set at $0.034 per kilowatt-hour (excluding VAT), plus a transit surcharge determined by the seller’s costs. Payments are to be made within 35 days for each supply period. The supply will only occur during scheduled shortages and will be integrated into KEGOC’s national grid. Rogun HPP will handle transportation to the border, while the Settlement and Financial Center for Renewable Energy Support LLP will oversee control on the Kazakh side. Any disputes arising from the agreement will be resolved through the Singapore International Arbitration Center.

Electricity agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are a critical component for securing international financing for the Rogun HPP’s construction. Project costs have risen to $6.4 billion, according to recent estimates. To cover these costs, the Tajik government is negotiating semi-concessional loans worth $1.73 billion, $850 million in grants, and $390 million in concessional loans. The remainder will come from the government budget and revenues generated by the plant.

This year, the Tajik government allocated 5 billion somoni (approximately $460 million) for the Rogun project, with 2.8 billion somoni coming from the state budget and 2.2 billion somoni from investment projects. By the end of September 2024, 4.3 billion somoni (about $395 million) had already been spent on construction.

Once completed, Rogun HPP will become the largest hydropower facility in Central Asia, boasting a capacity of 3,600 MW and capable of producing up to 17 billion kWh of electricity annually. This output represents 65–85% of Tajikistan’s total electricity production. The plant will house six units of 600 MW each, with full commissioning expected by 2029. Currently, two units are operating at low capacity, having been commissioned in 2018 and 2019.

The project serves as a landmark achievement for Tajikistan’s energy sector and a key driver of regional energy cooperation, promoting economic stability and resource-sharing throughout Central Asia.

20 Nov 2024

Central Asia, Home, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features

Kyrgyzstan’s Largest Hydropower Plant Boosts Generating Capacity

November 20, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

On November 19, Kyrgyzstan launched the modernized hydroelectric generating unit No. 1 at the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), the country’s largest power facility. Located on the Naryn River, the Toktogul HPP generates approximately 40% of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity.

The modernization of hydroelectric unit No. 1 began in March 2024 and has increased its generating capacity by 60 MW. Prior to this upgrade, the Toktogul HPP had a total capacity of 1,200 MW, with each of its four units producing 300 MW. Two units had already been upgraded in previous phases, collectively adding 120 MW to the plant’s total capacity.

The reconstruction of the fourth and final hydroelectric unit is scheduled for 2025. Once the modernization project is complete, Toktogul HPP will gain an additional 240 MW of generating capacity, extending its service life by 25–30 years.

The $210 million rehabilitation project is funded by a $110 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and $100 million from the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD).

With a total volume of 19.5 billion cubic meters, the Toktogul HPP reservoir plays a dual role in meeting Kyrgyzstan’s energy demands and providing essential irrigation water to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. During the winter, increased water releases are used to generate electricity for Kyrgyzstan, while summer releases support irrigation for southern Kazakhstan’s dry regions.

As of November 19, 2024, the Toktogul reservoir contained 12.991 billion cubic meters of water, compared to 11.694 billion cubic meters on the same date in 2023. The reservoir currently receives 246 cubic meters of water per second and releases 488 cubic meters per second.

Despite this year’s higher water levels, Kyrgyzstan continues to face electricity shortages, according to Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev. Toktogul HPP’s modernization and efficient management of water resources remain critical to addressing these challenges and ensuring regional energy and water security.

20 Nov 2024

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan’s Talas Province Faces Urgent Need for Proper Detention Facility

November 20, 2024
By Anton Chipegin

Kyrgyz Ombudswoman Jamilya Dzhamanbayeva has voiced serious concerns over the substandard conditions in the temporary detention center (TDC) in Talas Province. During a recent visit, detainees reported inadequate facilities and breaches of detention standards, according to the Ombudsman Institute.

Dzhamanbayeva revealed that the TDC houses individuals awaiting trial alongside those already charged with crimes—a practice explicitly prohibited under Kyrgyz law.

“At the time of the visit, there were 17 individuals suspected or accused of crimes in the TDC, which has a total capacity of 36 people. Among them, two were women. The TDC is situated in the yard of the Department of Internal Affairs, but in a separate building,” stated the Ombudsman Institute.

Lack of a Dedicated Proper Pre-Trial Facility

The absence of an investigative detention center (IDC) in Talas Province forces authorities to detain pre-trial prisoners in the TDC, mixing them with individuals under investigation. This not only violates national laws but raises significant human rights concerns.

During her visit, Dzhamanbayeva inspected the cells and spoke directly with detainees to assess their conditions. She called on the Kyrgyz government to expedite the construction of a dedicated IDC in Talas Province to comply with international standards and Kyrgyz legal obligations.

Inhumane Living Conditions

The National Center for the Prevention of Torture has also criticized the state of the Talas TDC, identifying severe deficiencies:

Lack of natural light: Windows are blocked by metal structures, preventing daylight from entering.
Inadequate sleeping arrangements: Detainees sleep on the floor due to a shortage of beds and bedding.
Unsanitary environment: The facility suffers from poor hygiene and overall neglect.

These conditions exacerbate the already critical situation for detainees, underscoring the pressing issue of detention standards in Talas Province.

20 Nov 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan Justice, Justice, Tajikistan International Affairs, Tajikistan Local Politics, Tajikistan, International Affairs, Local Politics

Russian Interior Minister Reports Drop in Crimes Linked to Tajik Citizens

November 20, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev announced a decline in crimes involving Tajik citizens in the Russian Federation during a joint meeting of the Russian and Tajik Interior Ministries in Moscow. This reduction includes both offenses committed by and against Tajik nationals, a trend Kolokoltsev emphasized should continue.

One notable achievement highlighted was the resolution of a 30-year-old murder case in Sughd, which was solved through coordinated information-sharing between Russian and Tajik law enforcement agencies.

Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation

During the meeting, Kolokoltsev and Tajik Interior Minister Rahimzoda Ramazon Hamro approved a 2025 cooperation plan. The agreement includes measures to combat transnational crime, enhance collaboration between investigative units, share intelligence, and address drug trafficking.

Rahimzoda stressed that ongoing cooperation strengthens security and improves the performance of law enforcement agencies in both countries. Tajik officials highlighted that joint events and initiatives have been held annually since the partnership began.

Addressing Migration and Citizens’ Rights

Kolokoltsev also referred to his May 2024 visit to Dushanbe, where discussions revolved around migration issues and the establishment of the Russian Interior Ministry’s passport and visa service. These efforts aim to enhance conditions for Tajik citizens living in Russia while safeguarding their rights and interests.