Kyrgyzstan Hydropower Operator Begins Upgrades for 2026–2027 Winter

Chakan GES – the hydropower plant operator in Kyrgyzstan – has initiated preparations for its infrastructure ahead of the 2026–2027 autumn–winter season. The majority of the technical work is concentrated on the facilities of the Alamedin hydropower cascade, located on the Western Great Chuy Canal within Bishkek and its suburbs. The modernization program also includes the standalone Bystrovka hydropower plant on the irrigation branch of the Chu River in the Kemin District. The maintenance campaign is being conducted to prevent generation failures during months of peak energy consumption.

The current year’s plan involves taking four turbines at the cascade stations offline for major repairs. Upgrades will be performed on the first hydraulic units at HPP-3 and HPP-4, as well as the second hydraulic units at HPP-5 and HPP-6. Simultaneously, power engineers are carrying out medium-level equipment repairs. At the Bystrovka hydropower plant, the maintenance of the second unit has already been completed, while technical procedures on the first hydraulic unit of HPP-1 are ongoing. Reconstruction of the second generator is underway at the HPP-6 site. Engineers have replaced the stator winding insulation. The local relay protection and automation service is performing electrical measurements and high-voltage equipment tests using an external 50-hertz power source. The unit is expected to return to commercial operation in mid-June.

In addition to the maintenance of the main hydraulic units, the production program of Chakan GES includes 299 preventative operations on auxiliary equipment and hydraulic structures.