According to him, preparing technical and economic justifications and conducting environmental assessments takes time. "Some believe that money for construction can be obtained just like that, but that is not the case. Without the necessary documents, neither banks nor donors will be willing to provide funding. Even if the government assumes obligations to repay the loan, creditors remain skeptical," the minister added.
Ibraev explained that the preparation process takes quite a long time: studying documents, designing based on data about water resources, and ordering equipment does not happen instantly. "Often these are complex generators that are created individually for each hydroelectric power station. Only after all preparatory work is completed can construction begin, which itself is the fastest stage and can take about a year," he said.
Speaking about the future, Ibraev noted that after the commissioning of the "Kambar-Ata-1" HPP, Kyrgyzstan will be able to stop importing electricity and even start exporting it."Currently, we are purchasing electricity from Turkmenistan through Uzbekistan and from Russia through Kazakhstan, for which we also pay transit fees. In the future, we will have the opportunity to export electricity directly to China, but for this, we need to lay the lines in advance," he added.
When asked about the possibility of constructing the Kambar-Ata HPP without external assistance, the minister stated that the project requires about $4.5 billion. "Moreover, it is necessary to consider where the water will be directed. To date, $70 million has already been allocated from the budget. If we had larger funds, we would complete the project much faster," Ibraev noted, pointing to completed works such as a 113-meter tunnel, the construction of a 110 kV substation, and a bridge over the Naryn River.
The minister also clarified that when agreements were made with neighboring countries, it was stipulated that they would not interfere in water supply issues. "Water from 'Kambar-Ata-1' will be directed to 'Kambar-Ata-2,' where three hydro units will be installed, generating 360 MW. Then the water will be directed to the Toktogul reservoir and used for energy generation," he added.
He reminded that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are investing $1.5 billion each in the construction of "Kambar-Ata-1," but the management of the HPP will remain with Kyrgyzstan.
