Within the framework of the Eurasian Development Bank, it is emphasized that the method of implementing the project for the construction of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1 (KGES-1) has the potential to become a foundation for strengthening cooperation in the field of hydropower in Central Asia. This is the first case where a trilateral consortium representing the interests of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan is working on the creation of a significant hydraulic engineering facility.
The KGES-1 project, which is one of the largest investment initiatives for both Kyrgyzstan and the entire Central Asia, has a capacity of 1.88 GW and an estimated cost of 3.6 billion dollars. The work on the project is being carried out in partnership with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which allows for the interests of all involved parties to be taken into account.
The regional significance of this project is explained by its ability to support the energy systems of Central Asian countries against the backdrop of growing demand for electricity and water resource management. The emergence of a new dam on the Naryn River will open up the possibility for reprocessing the functions of the Toktogul HPP as a counter-regulator, which, in turn, will allow for more effective management of seasonal water flows and balance the needs between energy and agriculture.
In the future, KGES-1 may also help reduce the threats of drought and adapt to climate change, as large reservoirs provide water reserves in dry years and contribute to the development of sustainable energy in the region.
This project is of strategic importance not only for Kyrgyzstan but for all of Central Asia. It demonstrates the practical application of an international consortium model that takes into account the interests of three countries. In the future, such a structure could become the basis for further regional cooperation in the field of hydropower, as noted by the EDB.
