Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Move Forward with $4.2 Billion Kambarata-1 Hydropower Project

The Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP), a landmark energy project jointly developed by Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, is gaining international momentum, with strong backing from global financial institutions. Uzbek Minister of Energy Jorabek Mirzamahmudov announced that the plant’s projected construction cost stands at $4.2 billion, while pledged financing has already reached $5.6 billion. In an interview with Uzbekistan 24 TV, Mirzamahmudov said the most recent trilateral ministerial dialogue was held in Brussels in late September, under the auspices of the World Bank. It marked the third high-level discussion between the participating states and brought together representatives from 10 major financial institutions, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the OPEC Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and several Italian financial entities. The project has been widely recognized as a model for regional cooperation. According to Mirzamahmudov, multiple international lenders have expressed readiness to support Kambarata-1 even before the technical documentation is finalized. “In the past, such projects couldn’t even be discussed, they were off the table. Now they are being supported at the highest level,” he said. “They see this as a regional cooperation project and believe in its long-term economic potential.” Governance and Sustainability Standards Implementation of the project will be managed through an intergovernmental agreement, a joint operator, and a new project-specific venture. The minister emphasized that construction will adhere to international best practices in environmental protection, safety, and financial transparency, while taking into account the national interests of all three countries. Mirzamahmudov described the project as both an energy and environmental milestone. Kambarata-1 will utilize renewable hydropower from the Naryn River and improve transboundary water management across the region. Unlike many large-scale dam projects, the design of Kambarata-1 minimizes environmental and social disruption and does not require resettlement of communities. It is also expected to support regional agriculture by enabling controlled water releases during the summer growing season. Ownership and Output Under the proposed ownership structure, Kyrgyzstan will hold a 34% stake in the project, with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan each holding 33%. Electricity will be distributed proportionally, though countries will have flexibility to purchase additional power based on demand and market conditions. “Since this is a commercial project, countries will have the flexibility to buy more or less electricity depending on consumption levels,” the minister explained. To be constructed on the upper reaches of the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan, Kambarata-1 will have a planned capacity of 1,860 megawatts, a dam height of 256 meters, and a reservoir volume of 5.4 billion cubic meters. Upon completion, it is expected to generate an average of 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours annually, making it Kyrgyzstan’s largest hydropower facility and a cornerstone in addressing Central Asia’s energy deficit.

Kyrgyz Energy Minister Warns of Imminent Winter Power Shortages

Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev has warned that the upcoming winter will be one of the most difficult in recent memory, with the country facing significant electricity shortages due to critically low water levels at the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) reservoir. Toktogul is Kyrgyzstan’s largest energy facility, generating approximately 40% of the country’s electricity. According to Ibraev, the Toktogul reservoir currently holds 10.8 billion cubic meters of water, 1.6 billion cubic meters less than in 2024, when levels were already deemed critically low at 12.4 billion cubic meters. The “dead water level,” at which the turbines can no longer operate, is 6.5 billion cubic meters. Kyrgyzstan has struggled with persistent electricity deficits in recent years, particularly during winter when demand spikes as households depend heavily on electricity for heating. In 2024, national consumption reached 18.3 billion kilowatt-hours, an increase of 1.1 billion kWh over 2023. To cover the shortfall, Kyrgyzstan imported 3.6 billion kWh from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Russia. Ibraev urged citizens to conserve electricity and stressed that Kyrgyzstan aims to overcome its energy crisis by 2028. A key pillar of this strategy is the construction of the Kambarata-1 HPP, which is set to become the largest hydroelectric facility in Central Asia. With a planned capacity of 1,860 megawatts and an average annual generation of 5.6 billion kWh, the project is expected to significantly enhance long-term energy security. In the short term, Kyrgyzstan is banking on regional cooperation. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan have all signed an agreement on coordinated water and energy management. Under the agreement, Kyrgyzstan will release water from Toktogul for irrigation needs in downstream Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, while receiving electricity supplies from both countries through spring 2026. The Toktogul HPP serves a dual purpose: generating electricity for domestic use and regulating water flows for agriculture in neighboring states. In winter, higher hydropower output to meet heating demand often lowers reservoir levels, threatening irrigation supplies in spring. The trilateral agreement is intended to reduce this risk by enabling Kyrgyzstan to conserve water while ensuring essential electricity imports during peak consumption periods.