Toktogul, 24 October. Construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant in Kyrgyzstan may begin in 2027 or 2028, President Sadyr Japarov said at a meeting with residents of Jalal-Abad region; there he also promised to switch government service cars to electric vehicles.
During a visit to Toktogul district, where preparations for construction are under way, Japarov called the plant one of the country's largest strategic projects. "Its implementation is of decisive importance for ensuring Kyrgyzstan's energy independence," the President said. The Kainama and Kainama-2 small hydropower plants, with a combined capacity of 14.4 MW, have already been commissioned in the district.
At a meeting with residents of Tash-Kumyr and Kara-Kul, Japarov also spoke about transport plans. "We will gradually begin replacing all old cars running on petrol and diesel with electric vehicles. Service cars in government bodies too," Kursiv quotes him as saying. According to the President, construction of an electric vehicle assembly plant is nearing completion; it is due to start in late 2026 or, at the latest, in March–April 2027.
The presidential administration also presented the results of Toktogul district's development: in 2021–2026, 215 businesses opened there and 1,576 jobs were created, and investment in 2025 amounted to 3.9 billion soms. Water remains one of the main problems: only 12 of the district's 49 villages have clean drinking water.
What it means: The region's key hydropower plant, under discussion for years, will not move to main construction before 2027, according to Kyrgyzstan's President.
Who benefits: Kyrgyzstan gains the energy independence the President speaks of. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan gain water in spring and summer: according to Japarov, the plant will allow the Toktogul HPP to work in optimal mode and ensure water releases to the neighbours; both countries take part in the project. Financing was not discussed this time.
Background: The Kambarata-1 project on the Naryn river was developed in Soviet times; preparatory work began in June 2022. The plant's capacity will be 1,864 MW, more than the Toktogul HPP. Japarov has called it a "project of the century" being developed with the participation of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and the support of the World Bank.
We have also reported that Kyrgyzstan wants to jail people for up to 14 days for domestic beatings.
