Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 25 / Trend, J. Nasibova /
"Reaching a construction agreement on Kambarata hydroelectric power station #1 in Kyrgyzstan with Uzbekistan can be done if active bilateral relations continue to improve," Kyrgyz expert Sergei Masaulov told Trend today. "Moreover, Uzbek leadership would rather not employ third party countries in resolving problems between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan."
"The ratification of the agreement on the construction of Kambarata hydroelectric power station #1 is an indication of the country's politics," he said. "When the matter rests in the feasibility study, including the tender terms and the organizations that will deal with the construction, other questions will arise. However, I think that at present, there is a great distance between these two stages."
He said that concessions will be made for Uzbekistan so the two countries which do not see eye to eye can come to an agreement on the hydroelectric power station's construction.
He stressed that Kyrgyz experts adhere to two positions on Kambarata hydroelectric power station #1's construction: some believe that this issue must be solved as quickly as possible and progress must be made.
The second position is based on the following important point. It is impossible to solve any water-economic issues without Uzbekistan's participation, and, of course, Uzbekistan is interested in quick and independent expertise on the subject.
The expert said that Kyrgyzstan is interested in building hydropower plants, but after this project's completion, 90 percent of electricity in Kyrgyzstan will be of hydroelectric origin. Kyrgyzstan's argument in favor of Kambarata #1 hydroelectric power station-1 construction is the ability to regulate the flow of the river.
"However, the problem is that the hydroelectric power station will be constructed between 2020-2022," he said. "The river's flow will be reduced during this period. Today it is 47 cubic kilometers. It is expected to decrease to 32 cubic kilometers within 10 years. Moreover, glaciers are melting. All these issues can complicate the Kyrgyz and Uzbek relations. One must pay special attention to this situation."
It was previously reported that the Kyrgyz parliament ratified the agreements on the Kambarata hydroelectric power station's construction and the Upper-Naryn cascade with Russia.