Kyrgyzstan hopes for hydroelectric projects to meet growing electricity demand

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Implementation of main hydroelectric projects in Kyrgyzstan will allow the country to meet the increasing electricity demand of its population while also fulfilling the electricity supply requirements of the regional CASA-1000 project (will allow forexport of surplus hydroelectricity from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and finally to Pakistan), Trend reports.

The remark was made by President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov during his meeting with the European Council President Charles Michel in Cholpon-Ata city of Kyrgyzstan.

In particular, the Kyrgyz president named three projects with great potential: the rehabilitation of the Toktogul Hydropower Plant (HPP), the commissioning of the second hydraulic unit of the Kambarata HPP-2, and the modernization of the Uch-Kurgan HPP.

Japarov noted that the one of the most important renewable energy projects in the country is the constriction of Kambarata HPP-1, which holds the significance not only for Kyrgyzstan but for the whole Central Asian region.

During the meeting it was also noted that Kyrgyzstan has a total hydroelectric potential of 142.5 billion kWh per year, a solar energy potential of 490 million kWh per year, and a wind energy potential of 44 million kWh per year. However, only 13 percent of the country's overall energy potential has been utilized.

The roadmap for the construction of Kambarata HPP-1 in the Kyrgyz Jalal-Abad region, was signed between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on January 6, 2023. The planned capacity of HPP is 1,800 MW.