Construction of 30 MW Papan Hydroelectric Plant Advances in Kyrgyzstan

Construction of the 30-megawatt (MW) Papan hydroelectric power plant is progressing at the Papan Reservoir in the Kara-Suu district of Kyrgyzstan’s Osh region. The project is being executed through a public-private partnership involving OJSC Chakan HPP and the Joint Kyrgyz–Chinese Hydropower Construction Society.

Current efforts are centered on underground development, where crews are using drilling and blasting techniques to excavate a 1.5-kilometer diversion tunnel. This tunnel will direct water flow from the reservoir to the station’s turbines. To date, approximately 300 meters of the underground passage have been completed. This hydraulic structure is designed to handle the primary diversion of water required for power generation.

On the surface, work is advancing on the station’s core infrastructure. Heavy equipment is engaged in excavating the foundation pit for the main hydroelectric building, while engineering teams are installing the water intake gate shaft – a mechanism that will regulate the volume of water delivered to the turbine blades.

In coordination with the plant’s construction, work has also begun on connecting the facility to the national power grid. Installation of support towers for a 110-kilovolt (kV) high-voltage transmission line is currently underway along the designated power output route to ensure integration into the unified energy system.