Kazakhstan

Moinak Hydropower Station

Location: Kerbulak, South Kazakhstan
Sector: Energy
Total cost: $ 340 mln 
Chinese partner: China Development Bank ($200 mln)
China Water Electric Co. Ltd.
Kazakhstani partner: Development Bank of Kazakhstan ($50 mln)

JSC Samruk-Energy ($90 mln)

Construction start: 2006
Putting into commission: 2013

Partners summary

China Development Bank (CDB)is a development bank in the People's Republic of China, led by a cabinet minister at the Governor level, under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council. As one of three policy banks in China, it is responsible for raising funds for large-scale infrastructure projects, CDB provides medium- to long-term financing facilities that serve China’s major long-term economic and social development strategies. Debts issued by the China Development Bank are owned by local banks and treated as risk-free assets under the proposed People's Republic of China capital adequacy rules. In 2018 the CDB opened a representative office in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.[1] 

China Water Electric Co. Ltd. (CWE) is a Chinese construction and engineering consulting company that is a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation (CTE). CWE specializes in the construction of water and hydropower projects but its work runs the gamut including road and bridge, power transmission, drainage and sewage treatment systems, dredging, port maintenance, and interior design. The company has completed projects in China, the rest of Asia, Africa, and Europe, focusing especially on hydropower projects in developing countries.

Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) is a financial institution focused on the development of the non-primary sector of the economy. It invests in projects that contribute to the sustainable development of the national economy. Currently, the Bank is financing energy projects in Turkestan, Karaganda, Kyzylorda and East Kazakhstan regions.

JSC Samruk Energy  was established on April 18, 2007 in order to develop and implement a long-term state policy on upgrading existing and introducing new generating facilities. To date, the Company is the largest diversified holding company successfully integrated into the international power balance, creating value for its shareholders and aimed at building a highly efficient power supply system ensuring sustainable development of all Kazakhstan’s sectors.

Description of the project

The Moinak Hydropower Plant is the country's largest hydroelectric power plant. It was built in late 2011 in the remote Raiymbek district in Zhetisu, Almaty oblast, and is using the principle of height difference to generate the rotating movement of rotors churning out electricity.

HPP building has 2 bucket-type hydraulic units with a capacity of 150 MW, operating at a nominal head 522 m. 

The second unit was put into operation in May 2013. China International Water and Power Corporation laid the diversion tunnels, erected the plant’s main building and installed basic equipment. The company was chosen to build the main plant because of its experience in building hydropower facilities. The Chinese experts took into account all technical and seismic safety parameters and worked with the Kazakhstan Ministry of Environmental Protection and Water Resources regarding the preservation of the Charyn River and the ash grove near the plant. The plant has had a positive impact on the economy of the region: 800 local residents were involved in its construction and 114 people are now employed there. A new village with a kindergarten and communications connections were built in the district.[2]

Since commissioning, the Moinak HPP has generated more than 6.5 billion kWh of electricity. It provides the southern regions of Kazakhstan with electricity and covers peak loads in the southern zone. The project’s average annual electricity generation of the enterprise is 1.027 billion kWh.[3]

More links

https://en.tengrinews.kz/industry_infrastructure/moinak-hydro-electric-power-station-to-reduce-energy-deficit-7010/ 

http://today.kz/news/ekonomika/2017-10-03/751481-energetika-i-mashinostroenie-vo-chto-investiruet-kitaj-v-almatinskoj-oblasti/