event 09 Mar 2022

Nexus Regional Dialogue Central Asia // European Union contributes to improving operation of water resevoir in Central Asia

CENTRAL ASIA – The working group of experts established in the framework of the EU-funded project "Nexus Dialogue in Central Asia" approved a series of technical assessments on the issue of siltation at the Tuyamuyun Hydroelectric Complex (THC) and considered international experience in addressing similar issues during its fourth meeting on 15 February 2022.

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Technical experts presented results of the forecast for the growth of siltation in Ruslovoe reservoir for the next 50 years. However, the conclusions showed that the growth of siltation would reach its maximum point as early as the 2040s; as a result, the reservoir could be completely degraded. To find solutions, the project began working on a biological analysis of the silt composition, as well as research and testing of ways of practical application of silt from the Ruslovoe reservoir.

The meeting was attended by authorized officials from relevant ministries and agencies of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, representatives of the Tuyamuyun Hydroelectric Complex, national coordinators and technical experts, as well as international development partners. After approving the forecast results and previously conducted baseline assessments, including the holistic assessment and assessment of climate vulnerability and risks of THC, the working group members learned about the international experience of silt treatment and agreed on the next steps.

2 4 TWG meeting group photo

«Based on the results of this work, it is planned to develop technical recommendations for silt treatment and begin the costs and benefit analysis of a number of alternative technical solutions in the next quarter», noted Ms Ludmilla Kiktenko, Project manager.

The above-specified assessments were carried out as part of the demonstration project at the THC with the technical support provided by the World Bank’s experts under the Central Asia Water and Energy Program (CAWEP) and the regional project “Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Aral Sea Basin" (CAMP4ASB). The demonstration project aims to address the most urgent challenge in Central Asia – intensive siltation of reservoirs, which limits their capacity to accumulate, conserve and control water resources that are so essential for all water users in the surrounding area.

The Ruslovoe reservoir controls the flow of the Amudarya River which goes to the three storage reservoirs at THC (Kaparass, Sultansandjar and Kushbulak) to cover water and irrigation needs of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The volume of its siltation has already reached 70%, which threatens sustainable water supply for local population, ecosystems and economy of both countries. THC supplies water for: 1) irrigation of 779,300 ha of land in Uzbekistan and 425,000 ha in Turkmenistan; 2) electric power generation in Uzbekistan (450 million kWh per year); and 3) drinking water in Khorezm province and Karakalpakstan.

The project "Nexus Dialogue in Central Asia" is implemented by the Central Asian Regional Environmental Centre (CAREC). The project’s duration: June 2020 – May 2023; total budget: EUR 1.25 million, including the EU’s contribution of EUR 1 million.

The second phase (2020-2023) of the European Union project "Central Asian Dialogue to Promote Sectoral Financing through the Water-Energy-Food Nexus" is a continuation of the first phase (2016-2019) and is being implemented by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC). The project’s duration: June 2020 – May 2023; total budget: EUR 1.25 million with the EU’s contribution of EUR 1 million. The project is a part of the global Nexus Dialogue Programme, which is supported by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in five regions.

This article was first published on the CAREC website on February 15, 2022.

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