At least 16 small hydropower stations for $190 mln to be build in Kyrgyzstan

At least 16 small hydropower stations for $190 million will be build in Kyrgyzstan, the Prime Minister Temir Sariev said today at a meeting of the majority coalition in the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic.

According to him, the total capacity will be 188 megawatts. "In the near future the government will finalize the conclusion of direct investment agreement on the construction of the power plants," the Prime Minister said.

He also stressed that "work on finding new investors for the  Upper Naryn cascade of hydropower plants project is underway." And to strengthen energy security in 2016, the authorities intend to begin reconstruction of Toktogul HPP and modernization of Bishkek heating and power station in order to increase  its capacity almost two-fold and bring up to 812 megawatts.

In addition, as Temir Sariev noted, to receive an additional 150 megawatts from the second hydro unit of Kambar-Ata-2 in 2017, the preparatory work will begin later this year.

In order to increase transparency in the energy sector and reduce losses up to 13 percent, in 2016 the Government intends to install 50,000 smart meters for residential customers, and 16,000 - for commercial structures. In 2015, there were installed 112,000 and 9.5 millions respectively.