The World Bank is ready to finance the construction of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1
Negotiations between the head of the Department Taalaibek Ibraev and the World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia Naji Benhassin took place at the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan. The key topic of discussion was the implementation of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1 construction project, which the authorities call a strategic facility for the development of national energy and ensuring the security of the region. Representatives of the financial institution confirmed their intention to continue lending to the construction site, focusing on compliance with environmental standards and international standards of sustainable development.
The World Bank is considering the possibility of allocating 1.5 billion US dollars for basic construction work. These funds are supposed to be used to support the participation of three states in the project – Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Earlier, the bank has already allocated a total of $18.6 million for preparatory activities. In addition, during the meetings, nine donors expressed interest in financing the hydropower plant, ready to invest a total of $ 2.5 billion.
The work on the technical documentation is in an active phase. In 2025, a competition was held to update the feasibility study developed in 2014, and a corresponding agreement was concluded with the winner. Experts have already determined the type of dam of the future station with a capacity of 1860 MW. The development of an assessment of the project’s impact on the environment and the social sphere has also been completed. In parallel, the legal framework is being coordinated: the draft intergovernmental agreement was sent to the relevant ministries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on September 30, 2025. Currently, proposals have been received from partners, and the Kyrgyz side is preparing for expert negotiations.
The creation of infrastructure continues on the site of the future energy giant. The construction of a concrete highway with a length of 8.6 km from the Bishkek–Osh highway has been fully completed, the facility is undergoing the acceptance procedure. The second section of the route to the hydroelectric power station is 85% ready. Drilling and concrete works in the 126-meter-long transport tunnel have also been completed. Power engineers have fully installed a high-voltage power transmission line with a length of 11.5 km, installed 25 poles and are completing the construction of the substation.
To accommodate the staff, a shift settlement for 100 people is being built with an administrative building, a dormitory and a canteen, the readiness of which is estimated at 60-70%. The builders have completed the construction of four concrete pillars of the bridge over the Naryn River and are installing metal structures of the crossing with a length of more than 180 meters, the total readiness of the facility is about 60%. In addition, internal structural work is continuing in the operational part of the transport tunnel, where the concrete bed has already been laid.
Original (in Russian): Всемирный банк готов профинансировать строительство Камбаратинской ГЭС-1
