The dam on Lake Issyk needed modernization for a long time. After the unsuccessful selection of a contractor, the dam and lake were returned to the state. In 2024, new investors were found who plan to restore the dam, build a hydroelectric power station and develop tourism in the national park. The property was transferred to them in trust for 49 years.
Lake Issyk is located on the territory of the Ile-Alatau National Park. In 2018, the authorities placed Lake Issyk and the dam in trust for the company LLP «Kazelektroenergia» for restoration work. However, according to the akimat of the Almaty region, the investor did not fulfill his obligations. Restoration work never began. In 2023, legal battles began to terminate the contract with the company, as a result of which the facility was returned to state control.
In December 2024, the dam on Lake Issyk and the surrounding area were transferred to the management of LLP «Habel» for a period of 49 years based on the results of a tender. This was announced in April 2025. The decision was explained by the need to modernize hydraulic structures, reduce the burden on the budget and develop the region’s tourism infrastructure. The investor pledged to invest 23.6 billion tenge and create 150 jobs. In the first five years, he must strengthen the dam and ensure its reliable operation.
According to the EGOV statement, «Habel» LLP was registered in 2021. Its sole founder and first leader is Adilzhan Khabiev. The main activity of LLP is – production of special technological equipment for the electronics industry. According to the State Revenue Committee, the LLP has not paid taxes since registration.
«Italics» learned what awaits Lake Issyk and the dam in the coming years.
«Requires urgent work»
During a press conference on April 16, Deputy Head of the Finance Department of the Almaty Region Anara Akchulakova said that the dam is now «not in disrepair, but requires urgent capital work for the safety of operation of the reservoir».
Director of LLP «Khabel» Adilzhan Khabiev also mentioned that a control and monitoring center will be created at the site, soil movement sensors will be installed on dangerous slopes, and water level rise sensors will be installed in the lake –. This system will allow people to be notified in advance about potential threats of mudflows and will help carry out emergency evacuation. In addition, an emergency evacuation plan will be developed.
«Initially, this is the same hydraulic structure ― it was in the Kazselezashchita department under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, that is, this object was created as a mudflow protection structure from melt water that descends from the mountains. First of all, the facility will be controlled by the Emergency Situations Department, an authorized body, a Kazselezashchita unit is located there on the territory, they have their own office there, which controls the opening and closing of the gateways. There is the Balkhash-Alakol Basin Inspectorate there. Naturally, the finance department, as the founder, will also control all this on our part» ― explained Anara Akchulakova.
Khabiev also mentioned that since 1998, no cleaning has been carried out on Lake Issyk. The company has an expert opinion on this matter.
HPP
Answering questions from journalists, Adilzhan Khabiev said that they plan to build their own hydroelectric power station on Lake Issyk. Its estimated power is ― 10 mW. The cost of construction could cost, as Khabiev said, at least $20 million.
«The construction of its own hydroelectric power station is designed for its own needs, first of all – autonomous provision, so as not to depend on companies such as «Kazelektroenergia». This is done, among other things, to ensure that our sensors on slopes, seismic sensors, and monitoring of rising water levels work» ― Khabiev explained. According to him, electricity can also be supplied to general networks, but the tariff has not yet been calculated.
Khabiev assures that all work on Lake Issyk is consistent with the Ile-Alatau National Park and complies with the legislation of Kazakhstan. According to him, environmentally friendly solutions that meet international standards will be used.
Investments
According to Khabiev, the main investor and partner of the project was an international American fund. He also explained that the creation of LLP «Habel» from scratch specifically for this project was one of the investors’ demands that «there would be no claims or questions from third parties in the future».
Adilzhan Khabiev noted that international investors are considering the possibility of returning investments through a hydroelectric power station: «The main thing that international companies, for example, Chinese, are interested in is why hydroelectric power plants are very interesting for them, because there is a clear approach, tariff, electricity ― they see this and it’s good for them. There are also options for water ―service, and, of course, tourism».
But Khabiev could not name specific dates for the return of investments, because for each of the objects in the project they are «different».
«There are objects that are truly long-term, and there are short-term ones. Inside the project there is food, houses for tourists, there are projects that bear a social burden –we do not expect to receive any investments from them» ― he concluded.
Tourism
During the press conference, Anara Akchulakova noted that they also plan to develop tourism on the lake: install a cell phone tower, open mobile food outlets and build facilities with rooms for vacationers.
Adilzhan Khabiev assured that the development in the natural park will be environmentally friendly and without a foundation. He also promised that ordinary Kazakhstanis would also be able to afford a vacation in the park, and entry into the territory of the facility would not be paid.
Nikita Danilin («Italics»)
