Nikolay Podguzov at the World Hydropower Congress: The potential of HPS projects in Central Asia

Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the Eurasian Development Bank’s Management Board, spoke at the World Hydropower Congress held in Bali from 31 October to 2 November 2023. He emphasised that the EDB, as an international financial institution, actively invests in Eurasian economies, including the water and energy complex of Central Asia.
The chairman underscored the challenges faced by the region due to climate change, such as rising air temperatures and alterations in water balance. EDB analysts project that the region will confront a water deficit and a growing demand for electricity in the coming years.
Hydropower plays a key role in generating electricity and regulating river flows for irrigation. For this reason, the countries in the region are striving to harness their hydropower potential and attract investments to enhance their water and energy infrastructure.
The EDB intends to invest over US $400 million in the Central Asian water and energy complex over the next three years. The Bank has already started financing the construction of the 100 MW Kulanak HPP in the Kyrgyz Republic and is negotiating funding for other key hydropower projects, including Kambarata HPP-1 and Rogun HPP.
As a regional development bank, the EDB extends an array of instruments to support its member countries in investing in the development of the water and energy sector. These include long-term loans, green bonds, collaboration as a financial partner in major projects, leveraging resources from other financial institutions and private investors, and providing technical assistance in the preparation of pre-project documentation for significant initiatives in the water and energy sector.
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#sustainable
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#hydroelectricpowerplant