Kyrgyzstan should find common language with neighbors for Kambar-Ata construction
By Aynur Karimova
Energy-starved Kyrgyzstan should find a common language with its neighbors if Bishkek desires to implement the project of construction of the Kambar-Ata Hydro Power Plant-1 as soon as possible, former Kyrgyz Energy Minister Osmonbek Artykbayev believes.
"The future and the possibilities of the project are enormous. The government should continue negotiations. The HPP should be constructed necessarily as the construction of this facility is beneficial not only for Kyrgyzstan, but also for neighboring countries," he said.
The construction of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1, which is expected to annually produce 4.4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, requires over $2 billion. Bishkek and Moscow inked in 2012 an intergovernmental agreement, which notes that the power facility will be constructed by Russia.
The HPP will pay for itself in 15 years. All this time, the facility will be managed by Russia. After the reimbursement Kyrgyzstan and Russia will have equal shares in the facility. The two sides have already established a joint venture Kambar-Ata-1.
Uzbekistan opposes
The project managers have been a subject of strong criticism over the past time as the the construction of Kambar Ata HPP-1 could not launch over the past three years.
Valery Dil, Kyrgyzstan's First Deputy Prime Minister believes that the construction of Kambar-Ata HPP-1 is delayed due to various reasons, in particular because Uzbekistan opposes it.
Speaking at a meeting of the Committee on Fuel and Energy Complex and Subsurface Parliament last week, he noted that Russia did not start the project because Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are yet to come a consensus on this issue.
Uzbekistan openly opposes to the construction of Kambar Ata HPP-1. Tashkent believes that Kyrgyzstan cannot unilaterally dispose water resources in Central Asia and Bishkek should take the views of its neighbors into account in the solution of such issues.
Uzbekistan also claims that the construction of hydropower facilities in neighboring countries may affect water and energy balance in the region.
Estimations show that if constructed, the Kambar-Ata HPP-1 will pave the way for Kyrgyzstan to gain absolute energy independence in the near future, and electricity generated at this plant can be used both to meet the demands of the country and even exported to neighboring countries.
Ernis Karybekov, head of the Institute engaged in the research of water management and water energy resources in Central Asia doubts that the project will come on stream soon.
"Neighbors should get together and resolve this issue. If not to take on work now, the construction of the HPP could drag on for 30-40 years," he warned.
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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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