The project of a cascade of small hydroelectric power plants on Issyk-Kul was launched in Turgen
With the first rays of the sun in the silence of the mountain valley of the Turgen River, the hum of engines sounded: machinery and construction materials began to be brought here. Here, 50 kilometers from Karakol, Issyk-Kul region, the construction of a cascade of small hydroelectric power stations has officially started — a large-scale project that should become a new pillar for Kyrgyzstan’s energy independence.
Two years ago, at the initiative of the President, the creation of favorable conditions for the development of renewable energies began in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The initiator of the project was LLC “Chon-Ak-Suu-Hydro-Energo” with the support of a strategic investor from Switzerland. The project is being implemented, among other things, thanks to the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Swiss Confederation, in particular, thanks to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Omar Sultanov.
The site of the future construction resembled a busy anthill: installers, engineers, representatives of contractors and local residents gathered at the foot of the mountains to witness an important event.
The symbolic start of construction was accompanied by solemn speeches. Akim of Ak-Sui district Kanatbek Kaldaraliev addressed the audience, expressing confidence that the project will give the region an impetus to development and create new jobs.
Director of “Chon-Ak-Suu-Hydro-Energo” Bakyt Yessenbayeva noted: “Our goal is not just energy generation, but an environmentally friendly and safe approach. We use modern GRP pipes that do not harm the environment and comply with all international environmental standards.”
Kanatbek Kaldaraliev emphasized in his speech: “This is not only energy — it is a step towards the comprehensive development of our region. We hope that other investors will follow suit.”
Local aksakals also came to the event. One of the elders, standing by the river, noticed: “Water is life. We are glad that it will start working for the benefit of our people without losing its purity.”
The future cascade includes three small hydroelectric power stations each with a capacity of 8.9 megawatts. They will be located at an altitude of 2,525, 2,318 and 2,112 meters above sea level. The total capacity will be 26.8 megawatts, and the annual output will be more than 112 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity. This is enough to provide energy to dozens of settlements and reduce the burden on traditional sources.
A feature of the project will be a derivation channel with a length of almost 10 kilometers with a height difference of 620 meters — this scheme ensures efficiency and minimal interference in the landscape.
The project is being implemented in stages with constant quality control and should be completed within the next two years. Already in the first weeks, the start of active excavation work, the laying of the canal and the installation of temporary access roads are expected.
This day is just the beginning of a long journey. But already today engines and voices of workers are heard in Turgen — which means that the energy of the future is on its way.
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Original (in Russian): В Тургене стартовал проект каскада малых ГЭС на Иссык-Куле
