Kyrgyzstan secures $13.6m boost for Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant

The project is seen to generate almost half of the country’s current output.

Additional financing assistance has been granted to Kyrgyzstan amounting to $13.6m that will support the ongoing $5m technical assistance for Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP) Project, the World Bank announced.

The funding is provided on highly concessional terms through the International Development Association. This comprises an $11m zero-interest credit, with repayments eased over 50 years and a 10-year grace period, as well as a $2.6m grant, which requires no repayment, from the Central Asia Water and Energy Programme, the financial institution said in a statement.

Kambarata-1 HPP is expected to generate an average of 5,600 gigawatt hours per year, which is almost half the Kyrgyz Republic’s current output. It is also projected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 5 million tonnes.

The project also has development objectives across the Central Asia region, including expanding electricity trade, decarbonising energy grids, facilitating solar and wind integration, whilst better meeting water needs in downstream countries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the World Bank said.