Kora River under voltage: HPP-3 has started generating electricity

In the new Kazakhstan region of Zhetisu, celebrating the three-year anniversary of its formation, the launch of the next, already eighteenth, renewable energy facility took place. The new hydroelectric power station HPP-3 with a capacity of 26 MW on the Kora River in Eskeldinsky district is presented as a significant contribution to the “green” future of the region. However, behind the solemn speeches about attracted investments of more than 10 billion tenge and the creation of over 20 new jobs, the question inevitably arises about the real impact of such projects on fragile river ecosystems, which are already experiencing enormous anthropogenic pressure.

The solemn ceremony of launching HPP-3 on the Kora River was accompanied by a screening of a film about the construction and a video greeting by Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sungat Yessimkhanov. Deputy Akim of the region Asset Kanagatov, who was present at the event, stressed that “the project of building a modern hydroelectric power station on the Kora River is part of an effective strategy for the development of the energy sector of Kazakhstan.” He also added that hydropower “plays a key role in ensuring the country’s energy security and contributes to achieving the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” and called the facility “not only a reliable source of energy, but also an important step towards preserving the environment.”

Business representatives, director of LLP “Kora HPP-2” M. Tukenov and General Director of LLP “ASPMK-519” A. Sychov, in turn, talked about cooperation with local authorities and business support. A. Sychov also announced the allocation of 50 million tenge for the reconstruction of the park in the city of Tekeli, calling it a manifestation of social responsibility This is certainly a positive gesture, but it does not negate the need for close attention to the environmental aspects of the company’s core business, especially when it comes to the exploitation of natural resources.

The symbolic pressing of the red button marked the beginning of the operation of the hydroelectric power station, after which officials inspected the facility and got acquainted with the technological processes that allegedly minimize harm to nature. It is important that such statements are supported by constant and independent environmental monitoring.

According to the head of the HPP Ilyas Khamitov, the total cost of the project, implemented with private investment funds, amounted to 10.5 billion tenge, and 21 permanent workplaces were created. He said that at the station, which operates around the clock, the processes are mostly automated, modern Austrian equipment is used, which will initially be monitored remotely by foreign specialists. Khamitov expressed confidence that the new HPP “will provide for the increasing demand for electricity, improve the reliability and quality of power supply, improve the environmental situation.” The last statement, about the “improvement of the ecological situation” due to the construction of a dam and changes in the hydrological regime of the river, raises legitimate questions for environmentalists, because any interference with natural processes carries risks for biodiversity and the natural state of waterways.

HPP-3 on the Kora River has become the eighteenth renewable energy facility in the Zhetisu region, where 17 similar installations with a total capacity of 225.4 MW are already operating. By the end of the year, it is planned to complete two more projects for the construction of a hydroelectric power station with an installed capacity of 20.6 MW.

Since the beginning of the year, own production of electric energy in the Zhetisu region has reached 247.3 million kWh, of which 191.8 million kWh accounted for renewable energy sources. This is 16% more than in the same period last year, which reflects the general trend towards an increase in the share of renewable sources. The only question is at what price this growth is given to nature and how fully long-term environmental risks are taken into account when planning and implementing such hydropower projects.

Alexander Eskendirov (Rivers.Help!)

Original (in Russian): Река Кора под напряжением: ГЭС-3 начала выработку электроэнергии