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BISHKEK (TCA) — JSC Electric Power Plants (EPP), the major state-owned power generation company in Kyrgyzstan, on February 9 announced the award of a turn-key contract for the Asian Development Bank-supported (ADB) modernization of the Toktogul hydropower plant (HPP) to a joint venture of GE Hydro (France) and GE Renewables (Switzerland) for $104 million, ADB’s country office in Kyrgyzstan said. Continue reading
BISHKEK (TCA) — On February 1-2, President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbai Jeenbekov made an official visit to Tajikistan. The visit coincided with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Continue reading
DUSHANBE (TCA) — On January 31, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon received Pietro Salini, the Chief Executive Officer of Salini Impregilo, Italian construction conglomerate which won a $3.9 billion contract to build the Rogun hydropower plant and dam on the Vakhsh River in Tajikistan, the president’s press service said. Continue reading
BISHKEK (TCA) — The use and management of water has always been a complicated and very sensitive issue in Central Asia. An important power generation and irrigation resource, water can be both a source of conflict and an area for cooperation between countries of the region. We are republishing this article by William Persing* on the issue, originally published by Eurasianet: Continue reading
TASHKENT (TCA) — Uzbekistan is taking efforts to restore a single energy ring with its Central Asian neighbors Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, with a possible extension to Afghanistan, Uzbekistan’s official information agency Jahon reports. Continue reading
BISHKEK (TCA) — Russia has not ruled out the possibility of building a hydroelectric power plant in Kyrgyzstan, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said at the sixth Russian-Kyrgyz interregional conference in Bishkek on December 15. Russia had begun several hydropower projects in Kyrgyzstan, but not everything turned out as planned at the first stage, Dvorkovich said. With the emergence of sufficient markets under acceptable conditions, Russia will be able to resume the implementation of those projects, he said. The Upper Naryn hydropower plants (HPPs) cascade is not the only promising project for selling electricity to other countries, Dvorkovich added. Background Kyrgyzstan denounced its agreement with Russia on the construction of the Upper Naryn cascade in January 2016. Russia’s RusHydro JSC, which had invested $37 million in the project, asked Kyrgyzstan to return the money. RusHydro said it was ready for a constructive dialogue and discussion of options for repaying the debt by the Kyrgyz side. At the same time, the company has the right to initiate an international arbitration to claim compensation. It was planned to build the Naryn cascade within six years, and the first hydraulic unit of the main Naryn HPP-1 should have been put into operation in 2016. The Upper-Naryn cascade would include Ak Bulun, Naryn HPP-1, Naryn HPP-2, and Naryn HPP-3 power plants. The total capacity of the cascade should be at least 191 MW, with average annual electricity production of 1.55 billion kilowatt-hours. The project was estimated at $425 million in 2012, and it was increased to $727 million at the end of 2013. According to the Kyrgyz side, Russia did not find sources of funding for 2016. This led to delays of the HPPs construction. In addition, Russia had offered new terms that did not meet the interests of Kyrgyzstan. Failed project In July 2017, the Kyrgyz Government and the Czech company Liglass Trading signed an agreement on the construction and commissioning of the Akbulun HPP and Naryn HPP-1 of the Upper Naryn cascade, as well as construction of ten small HPPs in Kyrgyzstan. According to the investment agreement, the Czech company had to contribute $37 million to the authorized capital of Upper Naryn HPPs cascade CJSC to start the procedure for transferring RusHydro’s stake in the amount of 50% of shares to Liglass Trading. However, Liglass Trading did not fulfill its obligations to pay $37 million, and the Government of Kyrgyzstan terminated the contract in September 2017. Potential investors There were talks that no investors would come to the Upper Naryn cascade but it is not true, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Sapar Isakov told journalists on December 7. There are two companies which show interest in the Upper Naryn cascade, and the Government is negotiating with potential investors. As soon as the negotiation is over, the Government will make an official statement, Isakov said. Unprofitable tariffs The development of Kyrgyzstan's energy potential through public-private partnership implies an increase in tariffs, international experts believe. The electricity tariffs should comply with world tariffs, and...
