In the east of Kazakhstan, the HPP project rested on protected lands
The implementation of one of the promising projects in the field of “green” energy is slowing down in the East Kazakhstan region, Kazinform agency correspondent reports. We are talking about the construction of a cascade of small hydroelectric power plants on the Kalzhir River in the Markakol district.
According to the General Director of KALZHYR RIVER ENERGY LLP, a hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 16 megawatts can become one of the key facilities of East Kazakhstan Region in the field of renewable energy.
The project is aimed at increasing the energy security of the region and reducing dependence on traditional sources — coal and oil, which, as the power engineers emphasize, cause serious damage to the environment.
“We strive to minimize the impact on the environment and preserve biodiversity. But to increase capacity, it is necessary to expand the site, part of which is located in the zone of specially protected areas,” the company said.
The problem rests on the status of the land. As explained by Nadezhda Mikheylis, head of the Land Relations Department of East Kazakhstan Region, all possible plots outside the protected zone have already been provided. Only the lands of the reserves remained, and it is possible to work with them only according to special rules.
“Such territories can be used only for the implementation of strategically important facilities. The decision is made at the Government level after the conclusion of the relevant ministries — energy and water resources,” Mikheylis said.
At the same time, there have already been precedents in Kazakhstan when the lands of specially protected natural territories were transferred for infrastructure projects, with strict observance of environmental requirements.
The Prosecutor’s office of East Kazakhstan Region did not stand aside — the supervisory authority said that the issue would be further studied. Possible legal mechanisms are currently being considered.
Meanwhile, East Kazakhstan has already encountered bureaucratic red tape in the provision of forest fund lands for the implementation of infrastructure projects. For example, only this year the construction of the highway bypassing the Osinovsky Pass will be completed in the region. And the highest mountain bridge in the country will appear in the region.
At the same time, the project was originally planned to be completed in 2020. But the land documents were transferred from one Ministry to another for almost 4 years. And in Ridder, the power line has not been completed for 7 years. The reason is the same — difficulties with registration of forest fund lands.
Nelly Nigmatullina (Kazinform)
