In the Chatkar Mountains in May, the scorching sun cannot hide the weak infrastructure. In the village of Kanish Kia in Jalalabad, a simple cabin laying ceremony gave local villagers hope to change their lives. Presidential plenipotentiary Tokebaev, project research leader Akilbek Japarov, and representatives of Chinese Komach Corporation jointly carried out excavation, marking the official landing of this water solar integration project with a total investment of 259.8 million US dollars.

For the Chatkar district, which has long faced unstable electricity and irrigation difficulties, this is not only an energy contract, but also a livelihood guarantee. The project adopts a public-private partnership model, aiming to completely reverse the region's excessive dependence on external electricity through localized production of clean energy.

Water solar complementary power supply

The project has planned two core energy facilities to fill the power supply gap through a "combination punch" approach:

Hydropower foundation: Construct a 5-megawatt small municipal hydropower station in Karakorum, with an expected annual power generation of 20 million kilowatt hours, utilizing the abundant water resources in mountainous areas to provide stable base load electricity.

Photovoltaic efficiency enhancement: A 1 MW solar power station will be built in Zanibazar Village, with an annual power generation of approximately 1.6 million kilowatt hours, utilizing the abundant local light resources to achieve peak power supply during the day.

This "water light complementary" design can effectively smooth out the seasonal fluctuations of a single energy source and provide a more reliable 24-hour power supply for the local area.

Energy Poverty Alleviation and Livelihood Dividends

The predicament of the Chatkar district is a microcosm of many remote areas in Kyrgyzstan - despite having resources, they are plagued by outdated infrastructure. This project is regarded by the local government as the core project to solve energy shortages and people's livelihood difficulties.

According to estimates, the project will directly create over 100 job opportunities after completion. More importantly, the supporting irrigation system will provide stable agricultural water for over 1000 hectares of arid land, achieving the comprehensive benefits of "building a power station and revitalizing the local economy".

China Kyrgyzstan cooperation deepens cultivation in Central Asia

The participation of Chinese companies in the clean energy race in Central Asia is another case of Chinese enterprises laying out their presence. In recent years, with Kyrgyzstan's promotion of the national renewable energy development plan before 2030 and the demand for modernization of irrigation systems in Jalalabad region, cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan in the fields of energy and infrastructure is constantly deepening.keywords:Engineering infrastructure，Infrastructure News

From the renovation of hydropower stations to the construction of photovoltaic power stations, Chinese technology and funding are becoming important drivers for Kyrgyzstan to achieve energy independence and green transformation. The implementation of the Chatkal project not only brings electricity and water to the local area, but also adds a new footnote to China Kyrgyzstan practical cooperation under the the Belt and Road framework.Editor/Yang Meiling