The Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP), a landmark energy project jointly developed by Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, is gaining significant international financial momentum. Despite a projected construction cost of $4.2 billion, pledged financing for the project has already reached $5.6 billion, according to Uzbek Minister of Energy Jorabek Mirzamahmudov.
In an interview with Uzbekistan 24 TV, Minister Mirzamahmudov detailed the high level of international support for the initiative, which is hailed as a model for regional cooperation.
Global Financial Backing Secures Project
The most recent trilateral ministerial dialogue took place in Brussels in late September, under the auspices of the World Bank. The meeting marked the third high-level discussion between the participating states and brought together representatives from 10 major financial institutions. These institutions included the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the OPEC Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and several Italian financial entities.
Minister Mirzamahmudov noted that multiple international lenders have expressed their readiness to support Kambarata-1 even before the final technical documentation is completed.
“In the past, such projects couldn’t even be discussed, they were off the table. Now they are being supported at the highest level,” he said. “They see this as a regional cooperation project and believe in its long-term economic potential.”
Environmental and Governance Standards
The Kambarata-1 HPP is described as both an energy and an environmental milestone. The project will harness renewable hydropower from the Naryn River and is expected to significantly improve transboundary water management across the Central Asian region.
Mirzamahmudov emphasized that construction will adhere to international best practices in environmental protection, safety, and financial transparency, while carefully taking into account the national interests of all three countries.
Unlike many large-scale dam projects, the design of Kambarata-1 is structured to minimize environmental and social disruption and does not require the resettlement of communities. Furthermore, it is expected to support regional agriculture by enabling controlled water releases during the critical summer growing season.
Implementation will be managed through an intergovernmental agreement, a joint operator, and a new project-specific venture.
Ownership and Output
The HPP will be constructed on the upper reaches of the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan. It is planned to have a massive capacity of 1,860 megawatts and a dam height of 256 meters, creating a reservoir volume of 5.4 billion cubic meters.
Upon completion, Kambarata-1 is expected to generate an average of 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours annually, making it Kyrgyzstan’s largest hydropower facility and a cornerstone in addressing Central Asia’s energy deficit.
Under the proposed ownership structure:
- Kyrgyzstan will hold a 34% stake.
- Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will each hold 33%.
Electricity output will be distributed proportionally, though the minister highlighted commercial flexibility for power purchases. “Since this is a commercial project, countries will have the flexibility to buy more or less electricity depending on consumption levels,” Mirzamahmudov explained.
