During a meeting between the Minister of Energy Talaybek Ibraev and the head of the World Bank office in Kyrgyzstan Hugh Riddell, the importance of the Kambarata HPP-1 for the energy security of Kyrgyzstan and the entire Central Asia was discussed. According to Riddell, this project serves as a foundation for confidence in the future energy development of the region and food security.
Minister Ibraev expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its support and noted that there were no serious power outages during the past winter. Key achievements include the annual updating of equipment and the reconstruction of the electricity grid infrastructure, which yield positive results. He also spoke about the current tariff policy in the energy sector.
Riddell emphasized that cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in the energy sector has been ongoing since 2018 and praised the ministry's work in recent years, calling it "successful and positive." He added that work is currently underway to prepare an intergovernmental agreement for the construction of the hydropower plant.
“Kambarata HPP-1 is a significant source of inspiration for us, strengthening confidence in the energy future of Kyrgyzstan,” he stressed.
It was also revealed that discussions on this project will continue at the spring meeting in Washington. The meeting is scheduled to address the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of the project, as well as ways to ensure its successful implementation with the support of the World Bank.
Ibraev noted that the energy sector occupies a strategically important place in the country's development. He pointed out the need for training specialists, as the implementation of large hydropower projects increases the demand for qualified personnel. Additionally, he added that Kyrgyzstan is actively developing green energy and implementing relevant equipment, which opens new opportunities for cooperation.
The parties also discussed the timelines and pace of implementing joint initiatives, including projects in the field of clean and renewable energy, such as "Innovative Financing for the Transition to Sustainable Energy," which is being implemented by the World Bank and the Carbon Asset Transformation Fund, as well as issues of technical assistance and financial initiatives for Kambarata HPP-1 and the modernization of energy infrastructure.
