Kyrgyzstan Aims to Boost Hydropower Potential and Improve Transit Infrastructure

Kyrgyzstan is prioritizing the expansion of its hydropower potential, improving transit opportunities, and advancing the digitalization of public administration, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliyev said at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, UAE, on February 11.

According to Kasymaliyev, Kyrgyzstan’s position as an “upstream country” in the region largely shapes its water policy, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia.

The country’s total hydropower potential is estimated to exceed 140 billion kilowatt-hours per year. While Kyrgyzstan’s abundant water resources meet domestic needs, they also supply irrigation water to large farmland areas in downstream Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Kyrgyzstan’s flagship project in the water and energy sector is the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydroelectric power plant on the Naryn River, in partnership with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Once completed, the plant is expected to generate 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, meeting domestic demand while also enabling the export of surplus clean energy to neighboring countries.

Another major infrastructure initiative highlighted by Kasymaliyev is the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which broke ground in December 2024. More than just a transport corridor, the railway is seen as a strategic link connecting East and West. The route will facilitate the movement of goods from China to Kyrgyzstan and onward to Central Asia, the Middle East - including Türkiye - and the European Union.

“The project will strengthen interregional ties, help diversify transport routes, and enhance the region’s competitiveness as an international transport and transit hub, benefiting all Central Asian countries,” Kasymaliyev said.

Kyrgyzstan’s third priority is digital transformation, aimed at reducing bureaucracy and lowering the cost of public services for citizens and businesses.

“We are on the threshold of a new era of public administration, where digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and big data are not just tools but the foundation for making balanced and strategically sound decisions,” Kasymaliyev stated.

He emphasized that AI offers unprecedented opportunities to improve governance efficiency. “Today, decisions worldwide are based on objective analysis of vast amounts of data. If we can assess the impact of fiscal reforms, energy tariff changes, or investment programs in advance, we can minimize risks, enhance economic resilience, and make truly well-informed decisions,” he said, adding that Kyrgyzstan is eager to adopt best practices from international partners.