The Minister of Energy, Talaybek Ibraev, made a working trip to the Naryn region on February 25-26, where he familiarized himself with the operations of several energy facilities, including the construction site of the Kulanak HPP with a design capacity of 100 MW.
During the visit, the minister discussed the timelines for implementation and technical aspects of the project. The chief engineer of the Kulanak HPP, Asylbek Sariyev, reported on the current progress of construction, completed tasks, and future plans.
According to information from the Ministry of Energy, the construction of the facility is actively progressing with the building of a rock-fill dam, concrete spillways, an intake channel, and its concrete wall. The assembly and installation of steel pipes for the water supply of the hydroelectric power station and equipment for the turbine unit are also underway. In addition, a drainage channel, protective structures, and reinforced concrete elements of the lower part of the station building are being constructed.
Note:
Kulanak HPP
The Kulanak HPP is located at the confluence of the At-Bashy and Naryn rivers and represents a diversion hydroelectric power station.
Additionally, the minister reviewed the condition of facilities built under the "Upper Naryn Cascade" project, the implementation of which has been temporarily suspended for several reasons. During meetings with energy company leaders, issues regarding the resumption of the project, attracting investments, and its further promotion were discussed.
A meeting was also held with the participation of the minister and the general director of JSC "NESC," Ilgiz Sydygaliev, attended by employees of the Naryn Electric Networks Enterprise.
Note:
Upper Naryn Cascade HPP
In 2012, an agreement was signed between the governments of Kyrgyzstan and Russia for the construction and operation of the Upper Naryn Cascade of hydroelectric power stations, with a project cost of $727 million. However, on December 24, 2015, the then-President of Kyrgyzstan, Almazbek Atambayev, stated that Russia would not be able to implement the project for the construction of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1 and the Upper Naryn Cascade. A month later, on January 20, 2016, the deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh voted to denounce the agreements on the construction and operation of the Upper Naryn Cascade HPP and Kambar-Ata HPP-1.
