EDB will finance the construction of the Suusamyr-Kokomerensky cascade of HPPs
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic have signed a trilateral memorandum of cooperation on the implementation of the project “Construction of the Suusamyr-Kokomerensky cascade of hydroelectric power plants,” the press service of the bank reports.
One of the important components of the economic development of the Kyrgyz Republic is the increase in energy capacity, using the natural hydropotential of rivers on its territory. The construction of the Suusamyr-Kokomeren cascade of the HPP on the Kokomeren River is of priority strategic, economic and social importance for Kyrgyzstan. The project is included in the National Energy Program until 2035, approved by the resolution of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 2317-VII dated June 27, 2024. The preliminary installed capacity of 3 cascade HPPs is 1305 MW. Its implementation will contribute to ensuring the current and future demand for electric energy of consumers of the republic, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The signed memorandum is aimed at preparing, with the financial support of the EDB, the necessary documents, including the development of a preliminary feasibility study for the further implementation of the investment project. The joint work of the bank and the ministries will make it possible to develop options for the financial and economic model of the project, assess the amount of capital expenditures and socio-environmental consequences of its implementation, identify the main technical solutions for the project and measures of state support necessary for its implementation.
“The implementation of the Suusamyr-Kokomerensky cascade HPP project with a capacity of 1.3 GW will be an important step in strengthening the energy independence of Kyrgyzstan. This large—scale project will not only meet the country’s domestic electricity needs, but also turn it into one of the leading exporters of clean energy in the region, which will significantly strengthen the economy and create thousands of new jobs,” said Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan Sanjar Bolotov.
The project “Construction of the Suusamyr-Kokomerensky cascade of hydroelectric power plants” is part of the EDB’s key investment megaproject “Water and Energy Complex of Central Asia”, aimed at developing water and energy cooperation in the region and contributes to solving national socio-economic problems. The implementation of the investment project is in line with the bank’s country strategy in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2022-2026 — modernization and construction of hydropower facilities, as well as conductive infrastructure.
It should be recalled that in January of this year, the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Chinese company China National Electric Engineering Co.Ltd. (CNEEC) also signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the field of energy, within the framework of which the construction of the Suusamyr-Kokomerensky cascade of the HPP was supposed. Then it was specified that the cascade would consist of three hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 1,305 megawatts:
- Karakol HPP – 33 MW;
- Kokomerenskaya HPP-1 – 360 MW;
- Kokomerenskaya HPP-2 – 912 MW.
As reported, the approximate annual production of the cascade was supposed to be 3.3 billion kilowatt-hours.
