A new small hydroelectric power station will be built in Kyrgyzstan with Chinese money

The development of small hydropower is gaining momentum in Kyrgyzstan, which is confirmed by the statement of the Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibraev, made by him yesterday on the air of one of the radio stations. He said that in the near future the construction of a new small hydroelectric power station (HPP) with a capacity of 25 MW will begin in the country. Investments in the project implemented by LLC “Joint Kyrgyz-Chinese Society for the Construction of Hydropower” amount to about 27 million US dollars.

The Minister noted that the contractor has already completed the preparation of a feasibility study and carried out the necessary project adjustments, including specifying the location of the spillway and intake. In addition, a number of meetings were held with the company’s management to discuss the details of the project.

This project is part of Kyrgyzstan’s broader strategy for the development of the hydropower sector. On October 5, 2024, former Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov personally participated in the ceremony of laying the capsule for the construction of this small hydroelectric power station, which will be located on the Ak-Buura River in Osh region. He then noted that the development of the energy sector is one of the priorities of the state policy, and recalled that two hydroelectric power plants, Bala—Saruu and Kainama, had already been commissioned this year.

The new small hydroelectric power station being built at the Papan reservoir will annually produce 103 million kWh of electricity. The ex-chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers compared the river with a strong camel-buura, whose energy will now be used to provide the population with electricity.

Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev has already held a working meeting with Qian Liuy, the main shareholder of the Joint Kyrgyz-Chinese Society for the Construction of Hydropower. It is reported that the parties discussed key issues related to the construction of a small hydroelectric power station behind the dam of the Papan reservoir. The Minister stressed the importance of this project for the energy independence of the country and announced plans to complete the construction and put the HPP into operation by December 2026.