Hydroelectric power plants - The Times Of Central Asia

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Hydropower

Iran to Retain Control of Sangtuda-2 Hydropower Plant in Tajikistan Until 2032

Tajikistan and Iran have agreed to extend the repayment period for Iran’s investment in the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectric power plant by six years and four months. The extension will allow the Iranian side to recover its investment, after which full ownership of the facility will transfer to the Tajik government. The amendments to the electricity purchase agreement between Tajikistan’s state-owned power utility Barki Tochik and Iran’s Sangtuda Sangob company were ratified by the lower house of Tajikistan’s parliament in early October. The revised agreement was originally signed on May 29, 2025, in Dushanbe, following high-level negotiations between the two countries. Under the initial agreement, Iran was to recover its investment by August 2026, after which the hydropower plant would become Tajik state property. However, under the new terms, Iranian management of the plant will continue until the end of 2032. The total construction cost of the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectric plant was $256 million. Of this, the Iranian government contributed $180 million, Sangob invested $36 million, and the Tajik government provided $40 million. According to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, between the plant’s launch in 2012 and the end of 2023, Barki Tochik purchased 8.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity worth $451.5 million. However, the power plant itself received only $122.5 million, roughly 27% of the total value. As a result, Tajikistan’s outstanding debt to Sangtuda-2 reached $329 million. Under the new agreement, this debt will be fully written off. In return, Dushanbe has committed to a new payment schedule over the next six years and four months. After this period, control of the plant will transfer to Barki Tochik. Sangtuda-2 is among the largest joint energy projects between Tajikistan and Iran. Construction began in 2006, with the first hydroelectric unit launched in September 2011 and the second in 2014. The plant is located in the Danghara district of the Khatlon region, on the Vakhsh River. It is the fifth stage of the Vakhsh cascade of hydroelectric stations.

Hydroelectric power plants

European Banks to Allocate up to $1 Billion for Kambarata-1 Hydropower Project in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Energy, Taalaibek Ibraev, has signed agreements with European financial institutions to advance the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant, a flagship regional energy project on the Naryn River. The deals were concluded in Brussels during the Global Gateway Forum, organized by the European Union to mobilize sustainable investment in partner countries. According to an official EIB statement, the EU and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed €900 million in memoranda of understanding with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to support the project, which aims to strengthen regional energy security and accelerate the green transition in Central Asia. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) also signed parallel agreements with the three governments and is assessing a financing package worth up to €1.3 billion. At the Brussels forum, Ibraev met with his counterparts from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to discuss coordination on implementation, following last year’s intergovernmental agreement establishing the Kambarata-1 project as a trilateral initiative. Under that framework, the countries will cooperate on construction, power-sharing, and environmental safeguards, with additional technical support from the World Bank. The World Bank’s project brief describes Kambarata-1 as a key step toward integrated energy and water management in the region. The 1,860-megawatt facility - one of the largest planned in Central Asia - will supply clean power domestically and to neighboring markets through regional transmission links. The EIB and EBRD agreements were signed by Minister Ibraev, EIB Global Director General Andrew McDowell, and EBRD Regional Director Hüseyin Özhan. It was reported that each institution has preliminarily earmarked up to $500 million in financing as part of its broader engagement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during the forum that the EU’s Global Gateway initiative will mobilize more than €400 billion by 2027 to strengthen sustainable infrastructure worldwide, including renewable energy projects in Central Asia. “This is a great opportunity for Europe, and this year, together with our partners, we are turning this demand into real action,” she said.

Energy

Turkish Company Reaffirms Commitment to Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Projects

At a meeting on April 16 with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek, Ahmet Mücahid Ören, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Turkey’s İhlas Holding, reaffirmed his company’s commitment to implementing two major energy projects in Kyrgyzstan: the construction of the Kazarman cascade of hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) on the Naryn River, and a 250 MW natural gas-fired combined heat and power plant (CHPP-2) in Bishkek. İhlas Holding has previously established an open joint-stock company, Orta Asya Investment Holding (Central Asian Investment Holding), to facilitate its operations in Kyrgyzstan. “We consider these projects in the fields of hydropower and thermal power generation as strategically important and a priority. We are confident that their implementation will serve as the basis for the sustainable development of the country's energy sector and create conditions for subsequent investment initiatives,” Ören stated, according to the Kyrgyz president’s press service. Japarov noted that preliminary research has been completed at the construction sites for the Kazarman cascade in the Jalal-Abad region. The studies were conducted by Central Asian Investment Holding in cooperation with the Kyrgyzhydroproject Institute. In February 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy and Central Asian Investment Holding signed a protocol of intent to build the Kazarman cascade, which will have a total capacity of 912 MW. The Turkish company has committed to constructing three hydropower plants as part of the project: Ala-Buga HPP – 600 MW Kara-Bulun-1 HPP – 149 MW Kara-Bulun-2 HPP – 163 MW Combined, these plants are expected to generate 3.746 billion kWh of electricity annually, significantly bolstering Kyrgyzstan’s power supply. The meeting also addressed the construction of a second thermal power plant in Bishkek. Japarov emphasized that once operational in 2028, the new 250 MW natural gas-fired CHPP-2 will improve not only the capital’s heating and electricity supply but also its environmental conditions. The new facility aims to reduce reliance on the city’s aging coal-fired Thermal Power Plant, which currently serves as the primary source of electricity and heating. Once completed, CHPP-2 is expected to meet Bishkek’s growing heating demands and reduce the risk of energy shortages.

Ecology

Dams Threaten Central Asia’s Rare Fish and River Ecosystems

A recent study by the international environmental coalition Rivers Without Boundaries has identified key river basins in Central Asia critical for biodiversity. However, many of these ecosystems face significant threats due to dam construction and small hydroelectric power plants, which disrupt natural habitats and endanger migratory fish species. Using geographic information system (GIS) technology based on the ArcGIS platform, researchers found that only 12% of Central Asia’s rivers remain in their natural state, supporting rare and endemic fish species. Another 7% of heavily altered freshwater areas are classified as critical habitats for endangered species, including the Amu Darya Shovelnose and Ili Marinka. Endangered Fish and Disrupted Ecosystems “We analyzed more than 50 endemic fish species across five major river basins in Central Asia,” said Eugene Simonov, lead researcher and international coordinator of Rivers Without Boundaries. “Of these, 21 species are now classified as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Our study also examined the condition of tugai forests, rare floodplain plants, and key water-dependent species such as the Asian otter.” The river network in Central Asia is increasingly fragmented due to dam construction, with the study documenting data on 650 existing and planned dams. As a result, migratory fish species are losing access to their spawning grounds. Some species, such as the Syr Darya false killer whale and Aral salmon, may have already disappeared. Conservation Efforts and Solutions To prevent further environmental damage, experts have developed a GIS-based tool to assess the impact of hydraulic structures on river ecosystems. “This technology can help plan conservation strategies and protect valuable river systems,” said Eugene Egidarev, a GIS specialist at Rivers Without Boundaries. Environmental scientists emphasize the urgent need to protect the remaining intact river sections, where rare fish species still survive. They also call for the preservation of floodplains and riparian ecosystems, which are essential for maintaining biodiversity. Conclusion As hydropower projects expand across Central Asia, balancing energy needs with environmental conservation remains a critical challenge. Experts warn that without stronger protection measures, the region risks losing more of its unique freshwater biodiversity, including species that have existed for millennia.

Energy

Japarov Urges Kyrgyz Citizens Not to Obstruct Small Hydropower Plant Construction

Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov has urged citizens to support the construction of small hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) across the country, emphasizing their importance for energy independence. According to Japarov, 40 small HPPs are currently operational in Kyrgyzstan, generating 312.5 million kWh of electricity annually. Construction has begun on 37 additional small HPPs, with 18 set to be commissioned in 2025, adding a total capacity of 385.2 million kWh. Additionally, Kyrgyzstan has launched solar and wind power projects with a combined capacity of 5,624 MW to diversify its energy sources. Untapped Energy Potential and Local Resistance Despite having the capacity to generate 142 billion kWh of electricity annually, Kyrgyzstan currently produces only 14 billion kWh, utilizing just 10% of its potential. Meanwhile, the country imports 3 billion kWh of electricity each year. Japarov noted that in regions where small HPPs are under construction, local residents have blocked roads and disrupted work, citing concerns about water pollution. “We are a country located at the source of water resources, yet we still import electricity,” Japarov stated in his address. “To resolve this crisis, we launched the large-scale construction of small and medium-sized HPPs in 2021. Additionally, work has begun on the Kambarata-1 HPP, which will further strengthen our energy security. Our goal is to eliminate dependency on imports, achieve energy self-sufficiency, and eventually export surplus electricity.” Appeal for Public Cooperation Japarov called on local communities to cooperate, urging them to endure temporary inconveniences during construction. “Construction lasts a maximum of three months. Work is carried out during the day, so in the mornings, before any impact on water, residents can collect clean water for their daily needs. These projects will serve our country, our people, and future generations.” In many remote rural areas of Kyrgyzstan, access to piped drinking water remains limited, forcing residents to rely on rivers and lakes for their water supply. While environmental concerns persist, the government maintains that small HPPs are essential for long-term energy sustainability and economic development.