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Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement on preparations for the construction and operation of the Kambarata HPP
The main purpose of the forum is to demonstrate Kyrgyzstan's efforts to reform the energy sector, discuss investment opportunities, including the Kambarata HPP—1 project, and demonstrate the potential to accelerate the transition to clean energy in Central Asia.
The forum was attended by about 200 representatives of the energy industry, including representatives of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Austria, France, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the European Union and a number of international financial institutions.
Within the framework of the forum, a trilateral agreement was signed between the Ministries of Energy of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan on the preparation for the implementation of the project for the construction and operation of the Kambaratinskaya HPP-1.
In addition, an agreement was reached on the development of cooperation in the field of energy, including in the field of renewable energy sources, and the creation of mutually acceptable mechanisms for the use of water and energy resources of the Kambarata HPP-1.
The forum ended with the creation of a Coordinating Donor Committee for the construction of the Kambaratinskaya HPP-1.
The first members of the Donor Coordination Committee included the World Bank, the OPEC Fund, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and others.
The Government of Kyrgyzstan stressed that "the doors of the committee are open and interested parties can join it." The first session of the committee will be held this autumn.
The history of the Kambaratinskaya HPP-1 project
In March 2021, during the visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan, the countries signed an agreement on the joint preparation of the investment project "Construction of the Kambarata HPP-1" and a protocol on mutual supply of electricity.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov launched the construction of the Kambarata HPP-1 in June 2022. About $20 million was allocated for the initial work on the project. According to the feasibility study of the project, developed by a consortium from the Canadian SNC-Lavalin International Inc. and the Russian Southern Energy Engineering Center, $2.9 billion was required for the construction of the hydroelectric power plant in 2014 prices. At the same time, on April 13, the head of Kyrgyzstan announced that the project costs would amount to 5-6 billion dollars, and the payback period would be 13-15 years.
The capacity of the future HPP will be 1,860 MW. The hydroelectric power station reservoir will have a volume of 5.4 billion cubic meters and a dam with a height of 256 meters. The plant will produce an average of 5.6 billion kWh of electricity annually. It is expected that the construction of the hydroelectric power plant will take 10 years, including the first hydroelectric unit is planned to be commissioned in four years.
Uzbek Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov, Kazakh Energy Minister Bolat Akchulakov and Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev signed a roadmap for the implementation of the Kambarata HPP-1 construction project in Bishkek in January 2023. A little later, an investment agreement was signed directly on the construction.
In April 2024, it became known about the plans of the governments of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to create a joint company for the construction of the Kambaratinskaya HPP-1. After the implementation of the project, the cost of which is estimated at 5-6 billion dollars, the shares and assets of the station will become the property of Kyrgyzstan.
