BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 20. Trend presents an overview of the most important events in the energy sector of Kyrgyzstan through January through March 2024.
Construction of the Bala-Saruu small hydroelectric power plant (HPP)
In early January 2024, Kyrgyzstan disclosed progress on the construction of the Bala-Saruu small hydroelectric power plant (HPP). According to Emil Mukanbetov, the First Deputy General Director of the Chakan HPP Energy Company, significant milestones have been reached in the construction of the hydroelectric power station.
These include the completion of the building construction, the installation of 110 kV electrical equipment on the closed 110 kV switchgear, and the installation of two power transformers with a combined capacity of 32,000 kVA. Additionally, a 110 kV Bala-Saruu - Kara-Archa overhead line and a 110 kV Bala-Saruu - Pokrovka overhead line spanning 6.7 km have been set up.
Furthermore, the installation of a pressure diversion of 360 meters with a diameter of 3.8 meters has been completed. Chakan HPP commenced the construction of the Bala-Saruu small HPP on the Kirov reservoir in the Manas district of Kyrgyzstan's Talas region in February 2023. According to the project, the Bala-Saruu HPP will have three generators, totaling 25 megawatts, with an expected annual electricity output of 92 million kWh.
Cooperation between the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange (KSE) and the Association of Renewable Energy Stations of Kyrgyzstan
The Kyrgyz Stock Exchange (KSE) and the Association of Renewable Energy Stations of Kyrgyzstan have signed a collaboration agreement in the sphere of sustainable development. Under this agreement, both parties aim to collaborate on sustainable development, providing support in promoting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Medet Nazaraliev, the CEO of KSE, highlighted that the development of a sustainable financing system is a crucial goal for KSE. Green financing plays a significant role in conserving natural resources and achieving carbon emission reductions. He expressed confidence that by joining forces, the parties can attract long-term investments into the energy sector, including renewable energy sources.
Kyrgyzstan collaborates with Japanese companies in the coal and hydroenergy sectors
On January 11, 2024, the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan, the Kyrgyzstan-Kagoshima Friendship Association, and the Japanese SENTO GROUP Co., Ltd. signed a trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation in the coal industry. The signed memorandum aims to collaborate in the coal industry, including exploration of coal deposits, extraction of minerals, construction of a coal enrichment factory, and establishment of a logistics center. Negotiations were also held regarding providing employment opportunities for the local population in coal mining using modern technologies.
On January 15, 2024, a ceremony was held at the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan between the Ministry and the Metarize Japan Japanese company for the exchange of a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding on November 29, 2023. During the meeting, Metarize Japani announced plans to send 10 gravitational generators with a capacity of 3-5 kilowatts per hour to Kyrgyzstan in May of the current year to launch a pilot project. The company has obtained an exclusive patent in Japan for the production of this equipment and hopes that the gravitational devices, which will continue to generate electricity 24 hours a day without using water, sun, wind, or heat, will have a beneficial impact on the energy situation in Kyrgyzstan in the future.
Construction of the Suusamyr-Kokomeren cascade of HPPs
On January 24, Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Energy and the China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC) signed memoranda of understanding and cooperation in the energy sector. The primary aim of the memoranda is to collaborate on the construction of the Suusamyr-Kokomeren cascade of HPPs and the construction of the Kara-Kechin thermal power station in Kyrgyzstan. The Suusamyr-Kokomeren cascade of HPPs consists of three hydroelectric stations with a total capacity of 1305 MW: Karakol HPP – 33 MW, Kokomeren HPP-1 – 360 MW, Kokomeren HPP-2 – 912 MW. The cascade is expected to generate approximately 3.3 billion kilowatt-hours annually. The Kara-Kechin thermal power station in the Naryn region has a planned capacity of 600 MW.
Accident at the Bishkek Thermal Power Plant
On the night of February 1–2, an accident occurred at the Bishkek Thermal Power Plant. Five people were injured. All schools and kindergartens were transferred to online learning from February 2 to 6. The hot water supply was suspended to maintain the operation of the Thermal Power Plant and heating networks. By February 5, heating in the houses of Bishkek residents had been restored.
IFC stands ready to launch a project in the field of geothermal energy in Kyrgyzstan
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) stated its readiness to consider launching the first pilot projects in the field of geothermal energy in Kyrgyzstan. This was announced during a meeting between Sanzhar Bolotov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) mission. Geothermal energy stands out as one of the few renewable energy sources capable of providing a sustainable energy supply around the clock. Under suitable conditions, geothermal energy can compete with coal or natural gas. As a cleaner energy source, geothermal energy can play a crucial role in the environmental sustainability of the energy sector.
A delegation from Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Energy visits Tajikistan
On February 17, the Minister of Energy of Kyrgyzstan, Taalaibek Ibraev, paid a working visit to Tajikistan for three days. The main goal of the Kyrgyz energy delegation's visit is to strengthen the relationship between the two countries in the energy sector and to hold preliminary discussions on continuing work that began after resolving border issues.
EBRD assists Kyrgyzstan in green economy project
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a loan of up to $4 million in local currency to FINCA Bank Kyrgyzstan through the Kyrgyz Republic Green Economy Financing Facility - GEFF (KyrSEFF III). The goal of the project is to help FINCA Bank become better at financing projects that save energy and water, thus making the financial sector of the country more competitive.
Reconstruction of Toktogul HPP
Starting on March 5, 2024, Hydro Unit No. 1 of the Toktogul HPP was handed over for reconstruction. According to the plan, Hydro Unit No. 1 was supposed to be handed over for reconstruction on February 15, but due to a drop in temperature, it was postponed to March. If the reconstruction of Hydro Unit No. 1, planned for 2024, is completed and put into operation, the total capacity of the Toktogul HPP will be 1380 MW. The reconstruction of the HPP is planned to be completed in the autumn-winter period of 2024–2025 to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to the population.
Works on the CASA-1000 project resumed in Afghanistan
Construction work on the CASA-1000 project has resumed in Afghanistan. The implementation of the project to transmit electricity between Central Asia and South Asia is being resumed in Afghanistan at the request of Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. It is reported that the project involves the delivery of clean energy from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan. As the construction of the power line nears completion in other participating countries, resuming work in Afghanistan is crucial to avoid the risk of losing project assets.
Cooperation in energy field with Russia
During the ATOMEXPO-2024 forum in Russia's Sochi, Deputy Minister of Energy Taalaibek Baigaziev mentioned that Kyrgyzstan plans to develop nuclear energy for electricity production. Alexei Likhachev, the CEO of Russian Rosatom, stated that the company, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan, is exploring ways to construct a small nuclear power plant in the country.
In the same forum, Baigaziev announced that Kyrgyzstan is in talks with Russia's Gazprom regarding the supply of more than 500 million cubic meters of gas per year.
During the forum, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan also announced that Russia would assist Kyrgyzstan in rehabilitating territories affected by uranium mining activities.
On the sidelines of the forum, Kyrgyzstan and Rosatom solidified an agreement to collaborate on the development and implementation of an investment project for the construction of small hydroelectric power facilities in Kyrgyzstan with a capacity of up to 400 MW.
On March 30, Taalaibek Ibraev and Nikolay Shulginov, the Minister of Energy of Russia, signed a memorandum to collaborate on the construction of the Chaldovar thermal power station in Kyrgyzstan.