The Koksu River has shown character: the construction of HPPs has been suspended
The water level has risen sharply on the Koksu River in the Zhetysu region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the governor’s office of the Kerbulak district reported. In this regard, work has been suspended on the installation of temporary culverts of Mine HPPs, which are planned to be built on the river section.
The akimat noted that the increase in the water level was caused by a sharp increase in temperature and a salvo of water inflow into the riverbed.
“As a result, the water level in the temporary bypass channel exceeded the design values,” the department said. “In order to prevent the erosion of the temporary channel, as well as to avoid damage to construction equipment, an operational decision was made to open the upper and lower dams of the main channel of the Koksu River to allow an increased volume of water to pass through.”
Further work on the hydraulic structure was suspended until the end of the flood period, the akimat added.
“The Koksu River does not pose a danger to the environment and the public at the moment,” the department also said.
On Wednesday, videos began to spread on social networks, which show that with the rise of the water level, the river washed away part of the concrete structures from the site where preparations are underway for the construction of the hydroelectric power station, the Power newspaper reports.
Rudnichnye HPP-1 and HPP-2 are being built by Energobildservice LLP, its ultimate beneficiaries are the co–owner of Elitstroy Group, Kairat Orazbekov, businessman Alain Baigazin and KAZ Minerals holding, owned by billionaire Vladimir Kim and partners. The project is included in the plan of the Ministry of Energy, according to which seven hydroelectric power stations are planned to be built on the Koksu River. Social activists, archaeologists, environmentalists and athletes of Almaty and Zhetysu region oppose their construction. They declare that the Koksu River is mudslide-prone, and the construction of many hydroelectric power plants carries risks both for the ecology of the region and for the clusters of petroglyphs located in the river valley. The mayor’s office of Kerbulak district says that the project will attract investments and create jobs.
