According to the Eurasian Development Bank, the construction project of the Kambar-Ata Hydroelectric Power Station-1 may play an important role in strengthening cooperation in the water-energy sector of Central Asia. A trilateral consortium has been formed within the framework of this project, which is the first to engage in the construction of a significant hydraulic structure, taking into account the interests of three countries.
The Kambar-Ata HPP-1 (KHEP-1) is one of the largest investment projects for Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. With a capacity of 1.88 GW and a cost of $3.6 billion, it is being implemented with the participation of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which helps to consider the interests of all parties.
The regional significance of this project lies in its ability to support the energy systems of Central Asian countries against the backdrop of the constantly growing demand for electricity and to manage the water-energy balance. The construction of an additional dam on the Naryn River will enhance the functions of the Toktogul HPP, making it a counter-regulator, which in turn will help manage seasonal water flows more effectively and balance the water resource needs for energy and agriculture.
In the long term, KHEP-1 may also help reduce the risks of drought and adapt to the consequences of climate change by providing water reserves in low-water years and promoting the development of clean energy in the region.
This project is of strategic importance for both Kyrgyzstan and the entire region. It demonstrates the practical application of an international consortium that considers the interests of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. In the future, such a model may serve as a basis for further development of cooperation in the water-energy sector of Central Asia," emphasize representatives of the EDB.
