Kazakhstan’s Hydropower Plan Raises Environmental Concerns
Authorities in the East Kazakhstan Region have identified 95 potential sites for small-scale hydropower construction. The region, which contains up to half of the country’s water resources, is central to plans for reducing national power shortages. Under the approved strategy, nine hydroelectric stations with a combined capacity of nearly 149 megawatts are slated for construction over the next five years. Officials from the regional Department of Energy and Housing state the projects are based on green generation principles that will provide local benefits, creating a power reserve for industry and communities while easing pressure on aging grids. A 1.4-megawatt pilot project in the Ulken-Naryn district is scheduled for completion by 2027, according to the department’s deputy head, Rauan Turarov.
However, environmental experts warn that the widespread construction of even small hydropower facilities could cause significant harm to biodiversity. This perspective challenges official claims that the projects do not require large-scale landscape alteration. A primary concern with small hydropower plants–particularly diversion-type stations–is the alteration of river hydrology. To power the turbines, water is frequently diverted through pipes or channels for several kilometers, leaving sections of the natural riverbed with minimal flow. This can lead to the degradation of floodplain forests and the loss of microorganisms that form the food base for fish.
The cumulative effect of these developments is another significant concern. A cascade of stations across the nearly one hundred potential sites would fragment river systems. Even low dams can create insurmountable barriers to fish migration, a critical issue for the mountain rivers of Altai, which are habitats for rare species such as the Taimen and Lenok. Artificial flow regulation also changes water temperature and current speeds, creating conditions unsuitable for spawning. Furthermore, the construction of access roads and power lines in remote mountain areas will necessitate deforestation and cause soil erosion, increasing the risk of landslides and mudflows.
