Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan Advance Kambarata–1 Hydropower Project

Representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan convened in Istanbul for a new round of negotiations regarding the Kambarata–1 Hydroelectric Power Plant project. The meeting, organized with the support of the World Bank, continued the development of a joint venture between the three republics to oversee the construction of the facility.

The proposed project on the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan features a planned capacity of 1,860 MW, positioning it as one of the largest renewable energy installations in Central Asia. Regional governments view the station as a primary mechanism for balancing the regional power grid and managing transboundary water flow.

During the Istanbul consultations, delegations concentrated on the technical specifications of the project. Participants analyzed dam engineering aspects, exchanged data on planned infrastructure, and coordinated a design framework. The trilateral agreement structures the participation of the three states to distribute both investment costs and future electricity generation.

The development of the new hydroelectric complex on the Naryn River is expected to shift the resource management landscape in the region. For Kyrgyzstan, the project provides an opportunity to increase energy exports, while downstream Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan anticipate more predictable water supplies during the agricultural season.