Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan agree on key principles, stages of Kambarata HPP-1 project
TASHKENT. Jan 28 (Interfax) - Officials from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the World Bank agreed on the key principles and stages of the Kambarata HPP-1 hydropower plant project during a meeting in Tashkent, the Uzbek Energy Ministry told Interfax.
"The parties reached an agreement on the key principles of joint development and implementation of the Kambarata HPP-1 project. They identified key stages of the project and approved a project implementation framework," the ministry said.
The meeting was attended by Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev, Uzbek Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, Kazakh Deputy Energy Minister Sungat Yesimkhanov and World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia Tatiana Proskuryakova.
The parties emphasized the importance of regular ministerial meetings and meetings involving international donors in the interests of coordination, cooperation and sustainable progress with the project.
The energy ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed an agreement in June 2024 on preparations to build Kambarata HPP-1. The project will be carried out by a company in which Kyrgyzstan owns a 34% stake and Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan each have 33%. The main sources of financing for the project are the founders' own funds, as well as loans and grants from international financial institutions and commercial banks.
In addition, the talks concerned the guaranteed purchase of generated electricity in a volume to be determined by the parties.
Kambarata HHP-1 will have capacity of 1,860 MW, generating 5 billion kWh of electricity annually. The dam is expected to reach 256 meters in height, holding over 5 billion cubic meters of water. Kyrgyzstan plans to launch the first unit in eight years.
The estimated total cost is $4.5 billion-$5 billion.
The HPP will not only meet the energy needs of Central Asia but also address regional water concerns.
Kyrgyzstan signed agreements with the World Bank in September 2024 on loans and grants worth $13.6 million to update the Kambarata HPP-1 feasibility study.
