Kyrgyzstan, supported by the World Bank and co-hosted by the Government of Austria, announced 12 key investments totalling $16bn focusing on renewable energy at the Kyrgyz Republic International Energy Investment Forum in Vienna. This event brought together high-level delegations from Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, international financial institutions, and private investors to discuss the future of the energy sector in Central Asia.
Over 200 delegates attended the forum, which highlighted Kyrgyzstan's achievements in energy sector reforms and explored new investment opportunities. The government underscored the region's potential to advance a clean energy transition through hydropower and solar projects, which aim to expand and diversify the nation's power generation capacity. These projects are intended to optimize the impact of both public and private investments.
Prime Minister Akylbek Zhaparov of the Kyrgyz Republic remarked, "This Forum holds historic importance not only for Kyrgyzstan but for the entire Central Asian region, particularly with the focus on the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant, which is set to be a transformative project for the region." He highlighted that the forum represents "a crucial step towards sustainable development and a promising start on the journey to a green and prosperous future."
Antonella Bassani, Vice President for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank, commented, “Reliable energy access is essential for the growth and development of not only Kyrgyzstan but the entire Central Asian region. We are pleased to help unite this region and our key partners around a shared objective: ensuring that every Central Asian household can turn on the lights—powered by renewable sources like the sun, wind, or water—while protecting our planet for future generations.”
A major focus of the forum was the Kambarata-1 hydropower project, which is seen as a key initiative for transforming Central Asia’s energy and water sectors. Supported by significant cooperation between Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, the project aims to improve regional energy security and facilitate a green transition. It also seeks to enhance water management across seasonal and cyclical variations, supporting irrigation, water supply, and food security throughout the region.
The forum also saw the establishment of the Kambarata-1 HPP Donor Coordination Committee, consisting of major international financial institutions and development partners. Participants agreed that the Donor Coordination Committee will "create an effective multilateral platform aimed at providing comprehensive support for the development of the Kambarata-1 HPP project within a sustainable macro-economic, commercial, environmental, and social framework."
Representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan announced the signing of an inter-ministerial agreement for the joint development of the Kambarata-1 HPP, marking a crucial milestone in regional cooperation.
The event received support from the Central Asia Water and Energy Program (CAWEP), a regional knowledge and technical assistance partnership administered by the World Bank, and funded by the European Union, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, as well as the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).
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