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Uzbekistan wants to become shareholder in Kambar-Ata HPP-1 construction project

23 November 2017 14:39 (UTC+04:00)
Uzbekistan wants to become shareholder in Kambar-Ata HPP-1 construction project

By Kamila Aliyeva

Uzbekistan is interested in becoming a shareholder in the construction of Kambar-Ata HPP-1.

This was stated by Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sapar Isakov during the session of the Jogorku Kenesh on November 23, Kyrgyz media outlets reported.

“Productive negotiations were held on Kambar-Ata HPP-1. Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to good results, because earlier Uzbekistan was against the project, and now supports it. In addition, Uzbekistan expressed the opinion to participate in the project as a shareholder. Therefore, we think, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and other neighboring countries should build this hydroelectric power plant,” he said.

The official added that when building Kambar-Ata HPP-1, the neighboring countries should be among founders as they are the potential buyers.

He further said that they will consider this issue, but the main thing is the issue of security in the region.

“Of course, we should put our national interests first, but our relations with our neighbors are among national interests as well. I think if we build a hydropower plant with Uzbekistan, this will be a very correct decision,” he said.

The Kambar-Ata project is only the first of several projects planned along the Naryn River, which rises in the Tien Shan Mountains and is dammed at Toktogul, the largest reservoir in Kyrgyzstan, before running on to merge with another river to become the Syr Darya. The power plant has received critique from energy experts who argue that the Kambar-Ata dams are too expensive.

The planned capacity is 1,860 megawatts with an average annual output of 5.1 billion kilowatt hours. According to the plan, the volume of the reservoir will be more than 4.6 billion cubic meters.

The construction and exploitation of Kambar Ata HPP and the Upper-Naryn cascade will allow Kyrgyzstan to produce about five billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year and cover the growing needs of the population.

However, the implementation of Kyrgyz ambitious project to construct the Upper-Naryn cascade remains questionable due to inability to attract foreign investment. Representatives of the Czech company Liglass Trading, which was the surprise winner of a tender last summer, acknowledged on September 18 that they do not have the money to proceed with the project.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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