Energy Minister Talaybek Ibraev visited the Naryn region on a working trip on February 25-26, where he familiarized himself with a number of energy facilities, including the construction site of the Kulanak HPP with a capacity of 100 MW.
During the visit, the timelines for project implementation and technical aspects were discussed. The chief engineer of the Kulanak HPP, Asylbek Sariyev, provided information on the current progress of construction, completed works, and future plans.
According to the Ministry of Energy, the construction of a rock-fill dam, concrete spillways, an intake channel, and a concrete wall of the channel is underway at the site. Assembly and installation of steel pipelines for the hydroelectric power station and turbine block equipment are also in progress. Additionally, a drainage channel, shore protection structures, and reinforced concrete elements of the lower part of the station building are being constructed.
Note:
Kulanak HPP
The Kulanak HPP is located at the confluence of the At-Bashy and Naryn rivers and is a diversion hydroelectric power plant.
The Minister also reviewed the condition of facilities built under the "Upper Naryn Cascade" project, the implementation of which was suspended for a number of reasons. During discussions with energy company leaders, issues related to the resumption of the project, attracting investments, and its further promotion were considered.
In addition, a meeting was held, attended by the minister and the general director of JSC "NESC" Ilgiz Sydygaliev, as well as employees of the Naryn Electric Networks enterprise.
Note:
Upper Naryn Cascade HPP
In 2012, the governments of Kyrgyzstan and Russia signed an agreement on the construction and operation of the Upper Naryn Cascade HPP. According to project documentation, the cost of constructing four HPPs was estimated at $727 million. However, on December 24, 2015, then-President of the Kyrgyz Republic Almazbek Atambaev announced that Russia would not be able to implement the Kambar-Ata HPP-1 and Upper Naryn Cascade projects. Soon after, on January 20, 2016, the deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh voted to denounce the agreements between the government of Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation regarding the construction and operation of these HPPs.
