Kyrgyzstan, JICA discuss energy projects

Bishkek, Sept. 19, 2025. /Kabar/. On September 16, Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev met with Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Kawamura Kenichi in Tokyo.

According to the Ministry, the parties discussed priority areas of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. Particular attention was paid to the project to construct a training center for JSC NESK, which will serve as a strategic platform for training specialists and implementing advanced energy system operation standards.

The minister noted that the project is in the final stages of approval and expressed hope for its signing during the Kyrgyz President's upcoming visit to Japan. JICA is allocating a grant of 1.5 billion Japanese yen (approximately $10.3 million) for this project.

The talks also addressed the modernization of the 800 MW Kurpsai Hydroelectric Power Station (HPP), one of the key power plants in the country's energy system. Ibraev reported on the completion of work to replace the automation, telemetry, and relay protection systems using a preliminary grant of 3 billion Japanese yen (approximately $20 million) and expressed his readiness to continue working with JICA on the further reconstruction of the Kurpsai HPP, increasing its capacity by 20%.

He also called on the Japanese side to participate in the construction of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1.

The importance of large-scale projects, including the construction of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1 and the completion of the modernization of the Toktogul HPP, was separately noted, the statement read.

The minister emphasized that Kyrgyzstan views JICA as a strategic partner and attaches particular importance to joint initiatives in the areas of green energy and sustainable development.