On January 27, a round table discussion took place in Tashkent, attended by the Minister of Energy of Kyrgyzstan Talaibek Ibraev, the Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, and the Deputy Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Sungat Yesimkhanov.
The event was also attended by World Bank representatives, including Tatyana Proskuryakova, Regional Director for Central Asia, Carolina Sanchez-Paramo, Director of Strategy and Operations for the Europe and Central Asia Region, and Charles Cormier, Regional Director for Infrastructure for the Europe and Central Asia Region, The Caspian Post reports citing Akipress.
The main topic of discussion was further development of Kambar-Ata-1 HPP project in the Kyrgyz Republic, a key regional project carried out by 3 countries.
Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev said that the Kambar-Ata-1 HPP project has attracted significant interest from international financial institutions and development partners.
"Today's roundtable in Tashkent continues a series of meetings that took place in Vienna, Brussels and Washington in 2024. These events help coordinate and accelerate the implementation of the project, as well as attract the necessary international support," Minister Ibraev said.
Deputy Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Sungat Yesimkhanov emphasized the political will in the three countries and a common understanding of the need to implement the project through joint efforts.
"I am confident that the hydropower plant on the Naryn River with a capacity of 1860 MW will become one of the largest in Central Asia," Yesimkhanov said.
Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov confirmed the government's commitment to providing comprehensive assistance in the implementation of this regional project, which is of strategic importance for all of Central Asia.
Photo: akipress.com
The parties asked the World Bank for assistance in preparing and financing the Kambar-Ata-1 HPP construction project.
Currently, the Kyrgyz side is carrying out activities to update the feasibility study. This includes an assessment of the technical, economic, financial, environmental and social components of the Kambar-Ata-1 HPP project, as well as other activities and studies necessary for implementation.
World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia Tatyana Proskuryakova confirmed the World Bank's readiness to support the governments of the three countries in their efforts to ensure a stable energy future for the region.
During the meeting, the Energy Ministers of the three countries reached an agreement on the key principles of joint development and implementation of the Kambar-Ata-1 HPP construction project. The main stages were defined and the project implementation structure was approved.
