Central Asian countries have agreed to exchange water and electricity
Negotiations of the heads of relevant departments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan devoted to topical issues of water and energy cooperation in the region were held in Almaty. The meeting was chaired by the representative of the Kazakh side Yerlan Akkenzhenov. The dialogue was attended by Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Ministers of Energy of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan Taalaibek Ibrayev and Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov, Head of the Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan Shavkat Khamrayev, as well as Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan Almaz Jeenaliev.
The key topic of discussion was the coordination of joint actions against the background of the difficult hydrological situation prevailing at the Toktogul reservoir. The parties agreed on the parameters of interaction that will ensure a stable passage of the heating season and high-quality preparation for the upcoming growing season. Taking into account the situation with water reserves, the states of the region decided to use the mechanism of mutual support and supply of resources.
According to the agreements reached, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will ensure the export of electricity to Kyrgyzstan during the autumn-winter period. This measure is designed to reduce the load on the hydroelectric power plants of Kyrgyzstan, which will allow the Kyrgyz side to reduce the amount of electricity generation in winter and accumulate the necessary volumes of water in the Toktogul reservoir. The saved water resources will be sent to neighboring republics during the growing season, which guarantees stable irrigation of agricultural land in the southern regions of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The meeting participants also paid attention to the issues of rational use of resources – an agreement was reached on taking joint measures to save energy and reduce consumption in the region. Representatives of the Uzbek side separately confirmed their readiness to provide the necessary technical conditions for the transit of electricity, its supply and balancing of the energy system, which is an important factor for the implementation of the planned plans.
During the talks, the officials stressed that the current joint work is carried out in the spirit of good neighborliness and is aimed at strengthening energy security and maintaining stability throughout Central Asia. The meeting resulted in the signing of a trilateral protocol, which legally establishes the volume of winter electricity supplies and obligations to accumulate water for the growing season of 2026.
Original (in Russian): Страны Центральной Азии договорились об обмене водой и электроэнергией
