Hydropower - The Times Of Central Asia

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Hydropower

Kazakhstan to Help Build Small Hydropower Plants in Kyrgyzstan

The energy ministries of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have signed a roadmap for the construction of small hydropower plants (HPPs) in Kyrgyzstan. The agreement, signed on February 25 during a visit by the Chairman of Kyrgyzstan's Cabinet of Ministers, Adylbek Kasymaliyev, to Kazakhstan, aims to enhance energy cooperation between the two nations, and support Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to develop its hydropower potential. Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister, Almasadam Satkaliyev, emphasized Kazakhstan’s commitment to regional cooperation in the energy sector. “We consider this a guarantee of stability and prosperity for all of Central Asia. The signing of the roadmap with Kyrgyzstan is further proof of our commitment to this goal. We are ready to share our experience and resources to build an energy-independent future together," he said. In recent years, Kyrgyzstan has intensified its efforts to boost electricity generation and address chronic power shortages by modernizing existing and constructing new hydropower plants. One of the largest ongoing projects is Kambarata-1, a joint initiative involving Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Kambarata-1, once completed, will be the largest hydropower plant in Kyrgyzstan. The project is expected to enhance regional cooperation in water and energy resource management. Discussions on the progress of Kambarata-1 are ongoing, involving Central Asian countries and the World Bank. The Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan hydropower cooperation marks another step toward strengthening Central Asia’s energy infrastructure. With Kazakhstan’s expertise and resources, Kyrgyzstan is expected to make significant progress in achieving energy security and sustainability.

Hydropower

Kyrgyzstan Advances Hydropower Modernization Efforts

Kyrgyzstan is moving forward with the modernization of two major hydroelectric power plants as part of its efforts to increase electricity generation and meet the country’s growing energy demands. According to the Ministry of Energy, on February 20, French company GE Hydro will begin reconstruction of hydroelectric generating unit No. 4 at the Toktogul Hydropower Plant (HPP) - the country’s largest power facility, located on the Naryn River. The plant currently generates approximately 40% of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity. Once completed, the upgrade will add 60 megawatts (MW) to the plant’s capacity. In November 2024, Toktogul HPP successfully launched a modernized unit No. 1, increasing its output by 60 MW. That unit’s reconstruction, which began in March 2024, followed earlier upgrades to units No. 2 and No. 3, which collectively added 120 MW to the facility’s capacity. Before modernization, Toktogul HPP had a total capacity of 1,200 MW, with each of its four units generating 300 MW. Upon completion of upgrades to all four units, Toktogul HPP’s total capacity will rise to 1,440 MW, and its operational lifespan will be extended by 25 to 30 years. Meanwhile, on March 1, 2025, China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC) will begin the modernization of unit No. 2 at the Uch-Kurgan HPP, increasing its capacity by 9 MW. Situated on the Naryn River, the Uch-Kurgan HPP plays a key role in Kyrgyzstan’s energy supply. Before its modernization, the plant had a total capacity of 180 MW, with four units generating 45 MW each. Since its commissioning in 1962, the plant had never undergone major upgrades until 2024, when unit No. 4 was reconstructed, boosting its output by 16 MW. The modernization of Toktogul unit No. 4 and Uch-Kurgan unit No. 2 is expected to be completed by December 2025. To ensure an uninterrupted power supply during the temporary shutdown of these units, the Ministry of Energy has held negotiations with neighboring countries regarding electricity imports. The government has also urged the population to use electricity sparingly while modernization work is underway. In addition to these upgrades, Kyrgyzstan is constructing the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant, which will have a projected capacity of 1,860 MW and an average annual generation of 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours. Once completed, Kambarata-1 will be the country’s largest hydropower facility and is expected to help eliminate Kyrgyzstan’s electricity shortages.

Green Transition

Fossil-Fuel Rich UAE Drives Central Asia’s Green Energy Transition

Central Asian nations, especially Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, are seeking to develop closer ties with the oil-rich United Arab Emirates. What they need from the Gulf state is not fossil fuels, but renewable energy technology and investment in their green energy sectors. Despite being a significant oil-exporter, the UAE has managed in recent years to position itself as a regional leader in solar energy and photovoltaic solar projects. As a result, it now has global aspirations in the renewable energy industry. The Gulf country, through its semi-government-owned company, Masdar, has already invested billions of dollars in the construction of wind farms and solar plants all over the world – from the Bahamas and Barbados to Australia, as well as several African and European nations. Central Asia is no exception. In the region, the green energy giant is particularly active in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It is, therefore, no surprise that, on January 14, two regional leaders, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, were major guests at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a global platform focused on accelerating sustainability efforts. [caption id="attachment_27597" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] President Tokayev of Kazakhstan speaking at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week; image: TCA, Nikola Mikovic[/caption] Their visit to the UAE signals a strong push for a green energy transition at home. For Tashkent and Astana, cooperation with Abu Dhabi in the field of green energy can help them to achieve their ambitious goals and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, despite both being significant producers of natural gas and oil. “Together with our foreign partners, we are currently implementing more than 50 large energy projects worth a total of $26 billion,” Mirziyoyev stressed, pointing out that by 2030, the share of renewable energy sources in the country will reach 54%. [caption id="attachment_27593" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev backstage at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week; image: TCA, Nikola Mikovic[/caption] In his view, Central Asia should turn into a “center of green economy.” The Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Francesco La Camera, seems to share this stance. “Central Asia can play a stronger and leading role in the global energy transition. I’m confident this new partnership can accelerate the pipeline of renewable energy projects and drive green industrialization,” La Camera said at the 15th session of the IRENA Assembly, held in the UAE capital two days prior to the meetings Mirziyoyev and Tokayev had with the UAE’s leaders. According to the Uzbek President, Tashkent is interested in jointly realizing the potential of Central Asia in solar, wind, and hydro energy, as well as in developing the production of green hydrogen. Fully aware of the Central Asian state’s green energy potential, Masdar is committed to investing $2 billion in Tashkent’s clean energy projects with a total capacity of more than two gigawatts. In the most populated Central Asian nation, the UAE’s semi-state-owned company is already involved in the construction of both solar plants and wind farms. [caption id="attachment_27594" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Abdulaziz Alobaidli, Masdar’s Chief Operating Officer, at the Abu...

Rogun HPP

AIIB Commits $500 Million to Tajikistan’s Rogun Hydropower Project

The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a multiphase program totaling $500 million, including an initial Phase 1 loan of $270 million, to support Tajikistan’s flagship Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP) project. The announcement was made on January 6, following the financing approval on December 19, 2024. The Rogun HPP, located on the Vakhsh River — a tributary of the Amu Darya River — lies 110 kilometers from Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital. With a designed generation capacity of 3,780 MW, a 335-meter-high dam, and a reservoir spanning 170 square kilometers, the Rogun HPP is expected to deliver improved electricity access to around 10 million people. It aims to address Tajikistan’s chronic winter power shortages and position the country as a key regional energy supplier. The project is co-financed with the World Bank, with potential contributions from a global consortium of donors. It seeks to enhance the supply of clean, affordable, and climate-resilient hydropower, with the potential to export electricity to neighboring Central Asian countries. As Central Asia’s energy demand is projected to grow by 40% by 2030 and triple by 2050, the Rogun HPP will play a pivotal role in increasing reliability and reducing the cost of electricity supply across the region. Konstantin Limitovskiy, AIIB Chief Investment Officer, commented on the significance of the project, stating: "This project will significantly contribute to the green energy transition and energy security of Central Asia. Investing in sustainable energy infrastructure is not merely about meeting today’s demands, but about empowering future generations with clean, reliable power that drives transformative growth, strengthens resilience, and unlocks the full potential of the region." Tajikistan ranks eighth globally in hydropower potential, yet only about 4% of this capacity is currently utilized. The Rogun HPP is set to play a critical role in decarbonizing electricity grids across Central Asia, supporting the region’s ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

Energy

Kyrgyzstan Boosts Energy Capacity with Hydropower Plant Upgrade

On December 30, Kyrgyzstan marked a significant milestone by commissioning the modernized hydroelectric generating unit No. 4 at the Uch-Kurgan Hydropower Plant (HPP). This upgrade is a critical step in addressing the country’s chronic electricity shortages, particularly acute during the harsh winter months. The modernization increased the generating capacity of unit No. 4 by 20%. The project, which began in March 2024, was implemented by the China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC). Work on hydroelectric generating unit No. 3 is scheduled to begin in 2025. Upon completion of the overall modernization project, the operational lifespan of the Uch-Kurgan HPP will be extended by 25–30 years. The Uch-Kurgan HPP, situated on the Naryn River near Shamaldy-Sai in the Jalal-Abad region, plays a vital role in Kyrgyzstan’s energy supply. Its reservoir has a total capacity of 52.5 million cubic meters. Before reconstruction, the plant's total capacity stood at 180 MW, with four hydroelectric units producing 45 MW each. Operating since 1962, the plant had not undergone any major upgrades until now. Kyrgyzstan is actively upgrading its hydropower infrastructure to enhance energy production. On November 19, 2024, the country launched the modernized hydroelectric generating unit No. 1 at the Toktogul HPP, its largest power facility. The upgrade increased the unit’s capacity by 60 MW, raising the Toktogul HPP’s total capacity to 1,260 MW from its previous 1,200 MW. The Toktogul HPP currently provides approximately 40% of Kyrgyzstan's electricity. In addition to modernization projects, Kyrgyzstan is constructing the flagship Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant, which will have a projected capacity of 1,860 MW and an average annual generation of 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours. Upon completion, Kambarata-1 will become the country’s largest hydropower plant and is expected to eliminate Kyrgyzstan's electricity shortages. These developments reflect the country’s commitment to expanding its energy capacity, ensuring sustainable power supplies, and meeting the growing demands of its population and industries.

China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway

Old Projects Now Part of Kyrgyzstan’s Near Future

Two projects that successive governments in Kyrgyzstan over the course of more than three decades have promoted as key to the country’s long-term success appear to finally be making progress. The idea for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway dates back to the early days of Kyrgyzstan’s independence, and plans for construction of the massive Kambar-Ata-1 hydropower plant (HPP) go back even further, to the Soviet-era. After all these years, these aspirations that have almost faded into dreams are set to be realized. All Aboard On December 27, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov took part in a ceremony near the southern city of Jalal-Abad to launch construction of Kyrgyzstan’s section of the CKU railway. The idea of a trans-Asian railway that would run from China into Kyrgyzstan and on to points further west goes back to the first meeting on Central Asian presidents in December 1991 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. It was a lofty ambition from five leaders whose countries had been independent for barely three months, but then-Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev followed up on the proposal, discussing the railway project with Chinese leaders when he visited Beijing in May 1992. That was more than one year before the first road border crossing opened between the two countries. By the end of the 1990s, the scope of the project had narrowed to a railway connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, though it was often vaguely mentioned the line could be part of a longer railway connecting China to Europe through Central Asia. The topic of the CKU railway was always part of the agenda for every Kyrgyz president whenever they met with Chinese leaders. In June 2001, then-Kyrgyz transport and communications minister Kubanychbek Jumaliyev announced his country would sign an inter-governmental agreement with China and Uzbekistan on construction of the railway. At that time, Jumaliyev said some 250 kilometers of the line would pass through Kyrgyzstan and the cost of construction of the whole line would be about $2.3 billion. According to the latest plans for the route, CKU railway will be 486 kilometers, from Kashgar in China’s western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to Torugart on the Kyrgyz-China border, then through the Kyrgyz cities of Makmal and Jalal-Abad to Andijon in Uzbekistan. The distance is not great, but the mountainous landscape of Kyrgyzstan through which the route will pass presents some formidable challenges. The 312 kilometers that will run through Kyrgyzstan requires construction of 81 bridges and 41 tunnels that will account for some 120 kilometers of the 312-kilometer Kyrgyz section of the railway. According to some sources, including Akylbek Japarov, who until December 16 was chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers, the estimated cost of building the entire railway is now put at some $8 billion. Cash-strapped Kyrgyzstan is expected to pay some $4.7 billion of that, and has already agreed to accept a Chinese loan of some $2.35 billion. The advantages for Kyrgyzstan will not come quickly, but they should come eventually. Simply being better connected to markets in Europe and China...