Andrey Krutko: "The discussion on the construction of the cascade of hydropower plants in the Kyrgyz Republic is not yet concluded."

At the end of the outgoing year, Kyrgyzstan announced its intention to denounce the agreement with Russia regarding the construction of the Kambarata HPP-1 and the Upper Naryn cascade of hydropower plants, the construction of which began back in 2009. It was supposed to involve a 50% joint participation between Kyrgyzstan and Russia. The future Kambarata HPP was expected to generate 4.4 billion kWh of electricity, covering not only the electricity needs of Kyrgyz citizens but also turning Kyrgyzstan into an electricity exporter. However, at the final press conference, the head of state, Almazbek Atambaev, expressed the desire to terminate the agreement with Russia.

The project is now in limbo, raising concerns about the future of the country's energy sector. Moreover, just a few days before the New Year, a major accident occurred at the largest hydropower plant in the republic, the Toktogul HPP. The first of the four operating hydro units at the station failed on December 23 – the morning after energy workers celebrated their professional holiday. The second unit failed five days later, on December 28. Energy workers stated that the cause was a worn-out oil cable that cannot be completely replaced: after forty years of operation at the HPP, it and its analogs are no longer produced worldwide. As a result, Kyrgyz citizens were promised rolling blackouts after the New Year holidays; however, they have so far been avoided due to an unusually warm winter that has reduced electricity consumption. While the reduced capacity of the Toktogul HPP can currently supply electricity to the republic, in the event of a significant drop in temperature, resources will begin to be sourced from neighboring Kazakhstan – agreements for this have already been made. However, the agreement is unfavorable for Kyrgyzstan, prompting renewed discussions about the urgent need to bring new energy capacities online. Prime Minister Temir Sariev, visiting the affected HPP, has already called for the acceleration of the denunciation of agreements to begin searching for new sponsors for the construction of new resources.
However, according to a Russian diplomat, it is too early to speak of a complete termination of the agreements.

- This issue is still under discussion. The final point in its discussion has not yet been set, so I would like to refer you to the comment of the press secretary of the President of Russia, Dmitry Peskov (who noted after the recent meeting between Putin and Atambaev that there are "some difficulties related to commercial and market issues" in the implementation of projects, but it is still incorrect to speak of a complete rupture of the agreement from the Russian side, editor's note). I currently have no other official comments from the Russian side. At his final press conference, the representative of the Kyrgyz side, Almazbek Atambaev, emphasized that there were shortcomings in the project on both sides, and while they were being addressed, the economic situation changed. Therefore, I would like to ask you to wait for an official statement from Vladimir Putin on this matter, - he noted.