HPP - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 12

Energy Coal Government Social Services HPP Price Energy Infrastructure

On the Threshold of Cold Weather, Kyrgyz People Stockpile Coal

Kyrgyz authorities have extended a temporary ban on coal exports outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) customs territory. The decree, signed by the head of the Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Japarov, aims to prevent a sharp rise in coal prices amid growing demand and to mitigate potential public unrest caused by fuel shortages. The ban, which will remain in effect for six months, excludes coal exported by the state enterprise Kyrgyzkomur. This coal is sold to neighboring Uzbekistan. The Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Commerce has been tasked with notifying the World Trade Organization of this decision. As temperatures drop, coal outlets across Kyrgyzstan are experiencing a rush of purchases by residents anxious to prepare for the cold weather. This surge in demand has caused coal prices to rise. To address the issue, the Antimonopoly Service has begun conducting regular inspections of retail outlets to identify sellers inflating prices. “We visit trading outlets undercover and identify sellers who artificially increase prices. Citizens also report violations via our hotline. According to the law, individuals can be fined 3,000 KGS (around $35), and companies can face fines of up to 13,000 KGS (approximately $150),” explained Taalaibek Kenzheshev, a leading specialist in the Antimonopoly Regulation Service's department, during an interview with The Times of Central Asia. In response to rising prices, the government has opened state-run coal outlets to sell fuel directly to consumers without intermediaries, ensuring more affordable pricing. “At private markets, sellers often cheat by selling coal in bags with insufficient weight. State-run outlets sell coal by weight, making it more reliable and cost-effective,” shared Sanzhar Orozbekov, a resident of Chui Oblast, with The Times of Central Asia. The Antimonopoly Regulation Service has set maximum coal prices in each region, depending on logistics complexity and the distance from coal mines. The highest coal prices are in Karakol, located east of the Issyk-Kul region, while the cheapest coal is found in southern Kyrgyzstan. However, even in the south, prices are influenced by coal exports to Uzbekistan. Imported Kazakh coal remains popular among Kyrgyz residents despite its higher cost. Known for burning more efficiently and producing greater heat, it is a preferred choice for some. However, the government intends to phase out the use of Kazakh coal at the Bishkek combined heat and Power Plant (CHPP), planning instead to rely entirely on domestic coal sources. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy, the country will need 2.6 million tons of coal for the upcoming autumn-winter season, half of which is required by households. The Ministry has assessed preparations for winter as adequate and has assured citizens that there will be no power outages this year.

Hydropower Loans & Grants Electricity supply HPP Energy Infrastructure

Kyrgyzstan’s Largest Hydropower Plant Boosts Generating Capacity

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.

Renewable Energy Generation Energy Infrastructure HPP Economic Cooperation Water Management Economy

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan Determine Operating Mode for Toktogul Reservoir

Following a meeting in Tashkent to coordinate the region's water and energy balance, ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan determined a preliminary operating mode for Kyrgyzstan’s Toktogul reservoir for the autumn-winter period. Kyrgyzstan’s largest Toktogul hydroelectric power plant (HPP) reservoir on the Naryn River releases water downstream to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan providing essential irrigation for fields in Kazakhstan's dry southern regions. In winter, the plant which produces around 40% of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity, releases more water to generate electricity to meet the country’s power shortages. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are now interested in helping Kyrgyzstan maintain a sufficient volume of water in the Toktogul reservoir for use during the 2025 irrigation season; a goal which could be achieved by exporting Kazakh and Uzbek electricity to Kyrgyzstan during the winter months. Commenting on the proposal, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, stated: "An important area of cooperation for our countries is the water and energy sector. This year has become a vivid example of deepening such regional cooperation. We [Kazakhstan] have met our water needs thanks to the joint measures. For a downstream country, this is extremely important. First, it is used to fill the North Aral Sea. We will continue to adhere to the agreements reached for the autumn-winter period to provide farmers with irrigation water next year." The Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation announced on October 14 that the irrigation season had ended in all regions of the country and during the growing season, from April 1, the Ministry supplied Kazakhstan's farmers with about 11.2 billion cubic meters of water. Nurzhigitov also drew attention to the vital role of water diplomacy in preventing a shortage of irrigation water this year, with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan sending more water to Kazakhstan than planned. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia the Toktogul reservoir accumulated more water this year than last.

Energy Infrastructure Finance Economy Power generation HPP

Donor Delegation Visits Kyrgyzstan to Assess Progress on Kambarata-1 HPP

As reported by the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy, on October 7-11 Kyrgyzstan received a delegation from the Donor Coordination Committee for the construction of the flagship Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP) comprising representatives of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the United States Agency for International Development, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The Committee, established at the Kyrgyz Republic International Energy Investment Forum, in Vienna on June 10, 2024, comprises major international financial institutions and development partners, including the World Bank, the OPEC Fund, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Kambarata-1 HPP, with a projected capacity of 1,860 megawatts and an average annual generation of 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, is to be constructed at preliminary cost exceeding $4 billion in the upper reaches of the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan. Once completed, the largest hydropower plant in Kyrgyzstan is expected to end the country’s electricity shortages. In addition, the ambitious project, jointly implemented with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, aims to strengthen cooperation within Central Asia in water and energy resource management. During their visit, delegates reviewed progress on the Kambarata-1 HPP and in addition, met Kyrgyz Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibrayev and representatives of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to discuss and establish a mechanism for regular consultations and data exchange to ensure effective cooperation on the project. Last month, Minister Ibrayev reported significant progress on the development of the HPP construction and said that all preparatory stages will be completed by next May. Early in September, Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers and the World Bank organized a roundtable on the selection of a dam for the Kambarata-1 HPP. The Swiss engineering company AFRY proposed various options for the project, and based on the type of dam chosen, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy stated that a feasibility study would be prepared by May 2025.

Strategy Renewable Energy Generation HPP Energy Infrastructure Energy Security

Kyrgyzstan Begins Construction of Another Small Hydropower Plant

The construction of a small hydroelectric power plant on the Ak-Buura River at the Papan reservoir in Kyrgyzstan’s southern Osh region has begun. The Ak-Buura River supplies water to Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city, Osh. The Papan reservoir is located in the Papan Gorge, and the power plant will be constructed in the narrowest part of the Ak-Buura River valley. The small hydropower plant will have a capacity of 25 MW and will generate 103 million kWh of electricity per year. The project costs $27 million. "The construction of a small hydroelectric power plant at the Papan reservoir is another strategic step towards the country’s energy independence," Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov stated at the ceremony to launch the construction on October 5. In recent years, Kyrgyzstan has been working to expand its energy capacity by building small and large hydroelectric plants to address electricity shortages. Earlier this year, Kyrgyzstan constructed small hydroelectric power plants in Bala-Saruu in the northwestern Talas region and Kok-Art and Kainama small hydropower plants in the southern Jalal-Abad region. In 2023, Kyrgyzstan met 80% of its electricity demand, which totaled 17.2 billion kilowatt-hours. The remaining 20%, or 3.4 billion kilowatt-hours, was imported. Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev last week stated that despite an increase in water levels at Kyrgyzstan’s largest Toktogul hydroelectric power plant (HPP) reservoir this year, the country would still be facing an electricity deficit of about 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours. The positive is that Ibraev said in parliament on October 4 that there will be no scheduled blackouts this winter, as his ministry has done a good job preparing the power distribution system for the coming winter. The Energy Ministry has installed new and repaired all the existing transformers nationwide. In previous years, Kyrgyzstan practiced scheduled restrictions on electricity supply for several hours a day to save electricity during peak consumption hours in winter. The minister also announced that starting January 1, 2025, Turkmenistan will supply Kyrgyzstan with 1.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.

Energy Economy Kambarata HPP hydroelectric Energy Security

How Kyrgyz Authorities Are Fighting Energy Shortages

Despite the launch of the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydroelectric power plant, Kyrgyzstan needs more electricity. One solution could be to launch small hydropower plants. Officials said building such plants on the country's numerous rivers is not costly. According to the Kyrgyz Energy Ministry, commissioning such HPPs could take only 1.5-2 years. There are currently 24 small hydropower plants in operation in the country, and there is potential for more than 80 more. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, Kyrgyz Deputy Energy Minister Nurlan Sadykov said that every citizen has the opportunity to build a small hydropower plant. Startup permits can be obtained quite easily. “We have a Green Energy Fund, which is authorized to issue land for small-scale energy needs, including the construction of solar panels and wind farms. This body holds a competition where anyone can participate equally, whether a Kyrgyz citizen or a foreign investor. The main thing is to confirm your financial capabilities,” Sadykov said. Sadykov said most investors borrow from local or international banks in one way or another. The authorities can guarantee the return of invested funds through electricity tariffs. “A presidential decree has been issued. According to the document, the state is guaranteed to buy electricity. If the investor wants to receive money for generated electricity in foreign currency, the state can provide payments in US dollars,” the deputy minister emphasized. Chinese and Russian companies are interested in building renewable energy sources in Kyrgyzstan. A campaign to raise funds from local businessmen is also underway. It is worth noting that Kyrgyzstan is experiencing an increase in electricity consumption. The country produces about 14 billion kilowatt-hours annually, but consumption, especially in winter, can reach 17 billion kilowatt-hours. To compensate for the missing electricity, the authorities import it from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.