Preparations for Kambarata HPP-1 construction nearing completion - Kyrgyz dep PM

BISHKEK. Aug 22 (Interfax) - Preparations for the Kambarata HPP-1 hydropower plant's construction in Kyrgyzstan are nearing completion, Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Bakyt Torobayev said.

"The preparatory stage for the construction of the large-scale Kambarata-1 hydroelectric power plant in Kyrgyzstan is nearing completion," the government press office quoted him as saying during a meeting of the CIS Electricity Council on Tuesday.

The construction of a road, substation, power transmission line, tunnels, bridges and builders' settlements is almost finished. Work is also underway to create a joint venture with the participation of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

"Kyrgyzstan has lot of potential for power generation. Several projects are being carried out. In addition to the Kambarata hydroelectric power station, solar and wind energy projects are being elaborated in the Issyk-Kul region with investments from Russia, Kazakhstan and China. In addition, we are working on the design and launch of combined cycle power plant in the settlement of Chaldovar with capacity of up to 500 MW, allowing for taking into account equipment and gas supplies, as well as pilot projects for peaceful nuclear energy and green hydrogen," Torobayev said.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said in June last year that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were prepared to invest in the Kambarata HPP-1 construction. The parties drafted a roadmap for the project.

Kambarata HPP-1 with capacity of 1,860 MW will generate 5 billion kWh of electricity a year. According to preliminary estimates, the dam will be 256 meters high and the volume of water accumulated could exceed 5 billion cubic meters. The first turbine will go into operation in eight years, according to the Kyrgyz government.