The European Union and its financial partners have announced new support for hydropower development in Central Asia, centred on the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant in Kyrgyzstan. The cooperation, unveiled at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, aims to expand renewable electricity generation, improve regional energy cooperation, and strengthen water security across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

At the Forum, the EU, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) signed a Memoranda of Understanding to advance the Kambarata-1 project. The EU and EIB formalized €900 million in agreements with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, alongside a feasibility study co-funded by the EU and implemented by the World Bank. The EBRD also signed memoranda with the same countries and is considering an overall €1.3 billion financing package in potential support of the project.

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela said the investment reflects the EU’s long-term commitment to sustainable energy development in the region.

“During my recent mission across Central Asia, I have very well learned the importance of water for the stability of the whole region,” Síkela said. “Smart investments in hydropower can improve access to reliable and affordable electricity, generate income for local people, and support sustainable agriculture while protecting people’s health and the environment.

“We are proud to support the future construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant that is key to energy production in Central Asia,” he added. “Our new investments strengthen the strategic partnership between the EU and Central Asian countries.”

EIB Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris said the bank’s contribution, supported by European Commission guarantees, will help boost renewable energy cooperation.

“The EIB as the climate bank is backing infrastructure that strengthens regional energy cooperation in Central Asia,” Kakouris said. “We see the potential of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant project as instrumental in expanding renewable electricity trade in the region, fostering economic development, and enhancing energy security.”

EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso described Kambarata-1 as “a flagship regional project for Central Asia,” noting its role in improving water and energy security.

“The EBRD, as a leading investor in all participating countries, is pleased to support regional connectivity and effective water management, with the EU and partners,” she said.

The announcement forms part of the Team Europe approach, which brings together the EU, its Member States, financial institutions, and the private sector to advance coordinated action on water and energy. The initiative supports the Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy and Climate Change, designed to improve water management, enhance renewable energy capacity, and promote a green and blue transition in Central Asia.

At the Forum, participants also reviewed progress on the EU’s planned Global Gateway projects in the region – including the Kambarata-1 and Rogun hydropower plants – and discussed next steps in implementing regional energy and climate cooperation.

The Kambarata-1 hydropower plant, located on the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan, will be the country’s largest power facility and one of the biggest in Central Asia. Once completed, it is expected to strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s energy security, enhance regional energy trade, and support economic growth. The project has attracted support from the EU, the EIB, the EBRD, and Italy’s development bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti as part of Team Europe’s renewable energy efforts.

The Rogun hydropower plant in Tajikistan, featuring the world’s tallest dam, is another key project for the region. Expected to double Tajikistan’s energy production by 2032, it aims to address energy shortages, accelerate decarbonisation, and enable regional electricity exports. Led by the World Bank, it is supported by the EU and several European partners.

The Global Gateway Forum brings together leaders from the EU, governments, and the private sector to promote sustainable global infrastructure investment. Through the Global Gateway strategy, the EU and partners aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments between 2021 and 2027 to advance clean energy, digital connectivity, transport, health, and education worldwide.