BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Trend News Agency provides an overview of key events that occurred in Kyrgyzstan's energy sector during the first half of 2023.
During this period, a strong focus was paid to green energy projects, leading to cooperation agreements with the several foreign companies from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Hungary, and more.
The main achievements were made in the project of Kambar-Ata-1 HPP Construction and concluding an agreement of cooperation with Chinese TBEA.
Kambar-Ata-1 HPP Construction
On January 6, the Ministers of Energy from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a roadmap for the construction of the Kambar-Ata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP) in Kyrgyzstan.
The HPP, with a capacity of 1,860 MW, will be built on the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan's Jalal-Abad region, generating five billion kWh of electricity annually. This project aims to address Kyrgyzstan's electricity deficit and enhance energy cooperation with neighboring countries.
Cooperation agreement with the Chinese TBEA on the construction of power transmission lines
On May 22, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy and China's TBEA signed a cooperation agreement to construct a high-voltage power transmission line.
The project aims to establish a 220-500 kV power line from Kyrgyzstan to China, facilitating the export of excess electricity to neighboring countries. This initiative aligns with Kyrgyzstan's plans for significant increases in electricity generation through large hydropower plants, solar power stations, and wind power stations.
During the period in question, Kyrgyzstan was especially focused on fostering cooperation in the energy sector with China.
Memorandum of Cooperation with China National Heavy Machinery Corporation
On January 13, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Financial-Credit Fund of Kyrgyzstan, and China National Heavy Machinery Corporation. The memorandum focuses on the construction of small hydropower plants (HPPs) on the Ortokoy Reservoir, with a combined capacity of 21 MW.
Construction of Ort-Tokoi Small HPP
On March 24, Chakan HPP JSC and China National Heavy Machinery Corporation signed a contract for the construction of the Ort-Tokoi Small HPP, with a total capacity of 21 MW in Kyrgyzstan.
Energy Cooperation with other Chinese companies
During a visit to China on May 29, the Kyrgyz Minister of Energy, Taalaibek Ibraev, signed six documents on energy cooperation with Chinese companies.
These agreements encompass cooperation in the construction of a wind power plant, joint development of projects in wind energy, solar energy, and energy storage, construction of a high-voltage power transmission line, preliminary calculations for the Sary-Jaz HPP cascade, exploration of energy and mineral resources, and the construction of a 1,000 MW solar power plant in the Issyk-Kul region.
Among other noteworthy developments in Kyrgyzstan’s energy sector are:
Partnership for solar power plant construction
On January 18, the Ministries of Energy and Economy of Kyrgyzstan, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), announced a partnership to construct a 100-150 MW solar power plant through a public-private partnership.
This project will be developed under the World Bank Group's Scaling Solar program, which facilitates solar energy projects with private financing.
Collaboration about opportunities in wind energy with Russian NovaWind
On February 21, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy and Russian company NovaWind, a division of Rosatom State Corporation specializing in wind energy, signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation for the implementation of wind energy projects.
The agreement aims to explore possibilities for collaboration in the construction and operation of wind power stations, focusing on enhancing efficiency, reliability, and the safety of energy supply in Kyrgyzstan.
Memorandum of Cooperation with the University of Obuda, Hungary
On April 27, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy and the University of Obuda in Hungary signed a memorandum of cooperation. The memorandum aims to establish a long-term, efficient, and mutually beneficial partnership in the field of electric power.
According to the State Statistical Committee of the country, a total of 6.486 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity were generated in Kyrgyzstan from January through May 2023, which is 7.3 percent more than 5.528 billion kWh generated in the same period of 2022.
