Central Asia will have water deficit in 2028-2029, while demand for electricity rises - EDB

DUSHANBE. Nov 2 (Interfax) - Central Asia will have a deficit of 5-12 cubic kilometers of water in 2028-2029, while the demand for electricity will significantly grow in the region, Eurasian Development Bank Management Board Chairman Nikolai Podguzov said at the World Hydropower Congress.

"Construction of new hydropower plants and renovation of the existing ones will mitigate the impact from climate change and will ensure economic and social development," the bank's press center quoted Podguzov as saying.

The hydropower potential of Central Asia has been unlocked by less than 25%, the bank said. The region operates over 80 hydropower plants with an overall rated capacity of about 14,000 MW. There are plans to enlarge the rated capacity of hydropower plants by 8,900 MW by 2035 through renovation of the old plants and construction of new ones. The major projects include the construction of Kambarata HPP 1 (1,860MW) in Kyrgyzstan and Rogun HPP (3,600 MW) in Tajikistan, with the world's tallest dam standing at 335 meters.

The EDB plans to invest over $400 million in developing the Central Asian hydropower industry within the next three years.