The construction of mini-hydroelectric power plants is positioned as a way to obtain “clean” energy from renewable sources, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. However, it also poses serious environmental and social risks that could exacerbate problems associated with climate change, say environmentalists in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan intends to fill the electricity shortage in the country with the construction of large and small hydroelectric power stations. In accordance with the decree of the country’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the number of hydroelectric power stations in Uzbekistan is planned to increase by 66.5% by 2030. In accordance with this resolution, by 2026 it is planned to build 21 large hydroelectric power stations in the country with a total capacity of 740 MW. It is planned to build mini-hydroelectric power stations (up to 5 MW) at 22 sites. To supply villages, compact hydroelectric power stations (up to 500 kW) will be built.
In January 2023 «Uzbekhydroenergo» identified 250 promising sites for the construction of mini-hydroelectric power stations on the basis of public-private partnership. In 2023 alone, it was planned to add another 197 MW to them through the launch of 7 more facilities, as well as 10 micro-hydroelectric power plants. In addition, work began on the construction of 8 large and 50 small hydroelectric power stations — with a total capacity of 438 MW.
JSC «Uzbekhydroenergo» — is the only structure in the country engaged in the development and implementation of programs for the development of the country’s hydropower potential. The company is fully owned by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which exercises its shareholder rights on behalf of the state.
According to the information service of JSC «Uzbekhydroenergo», in Uzbekistan 10.8% of energy is generated using hydroelectric power stations. In particular, small hydropower in the regions is a convenient and effective solution for ensuring daily energy supply. Such stations are capable of providing electricity to individual areas and mahallas without connecting to the general network. The cost of the resulting energy is significantly lower compared to other sources, which makes hydropower a priority area of development.
In recent years, thanks to an investment of $630 million, new hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of more than 400 megawatts have been built, their total capacity has reached 2.2 gigawatts.
In the Tashkent region alone, there are currently 25 hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 1,330 megawatts, which is 60 percent of the country’s total hydropower capacity. Currently, four more hydroelectric power plants are being built with a total capacity of 340 megawatts and a cost of $880 million. By 2028, it is planned to implement 23 projects with a total capacity of about 2.4 thousand megawatts worth $4.8 billion.
Focus on small-scale energy
However, despite this, electricity shortages in the country are still felt. Therefore, the launch of small and mini hydroelectric power stations in those regions where the necessary conditions exist for this remains a priority of government plans.
Small hydropower (SHE) has become an important part of energy strategies around the world. Due to the fact that it adapts well to the needs of local residents and is suitable for remote rural areas with low energy consumption. In addition, it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy independence.
In July 2023, a new mini-hydroelectric power plant was launched in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent Oblast. The power plant is located on one of the tributaries of the Pskem River, which flows into the Charvak reservoir. The power plant’s capacity was 200 kW. It will generate up to 1.75 million kW/hour of energy annually. The same mini-hydroelectric power stations are being built today on the Ugam River.
There are «three small hydroelectric power stations on the list of investment projects for the construction of hydroelectric power stations on the Ugam River, implemented by JSC » Uzbekhydroenergo—. Construction of HPP-1 will cost $4.2 million, HPP-2 – $7.3 million, HPP-3 – $6.9 million. Construction began in 2024 and is likely to be completed in 2025. The total amount will be about $20 million.
With proper planning, IGE projects can also create conditions for the empowerment of local people, including groups typically facing various systemic constraints, such as women and youth.
It is argued that hydropower is one of the cheapest, which is why it is necessary to develop hydropower. From the design data it follows that the creation of the installed capacity of the three Ugama hydroelectric power stations will cost approximately 3,800 US dollars per kilowatt of capacity. However, this is more expensive than creating solar stations of the same total capacity.
How does the construction of a mini-hydroelectric power station affect the environment?
The world believes that renewable energy is a key element in achieving both broader development goals (eradicating poverty and ensuring access to social services) and mitigating the climate crisis and preventing environmental degradation. As the cheapest technology to produce electricity using renewable energy sources (RES), hydropower remains an integral part of international efforts to combat the climate crisis and ensure the transition to clean energy
Meanwhile, ecologists from Uzbekistan note a number of problems associated with the construction of mini-hydroelectric power stations, which can cause serious harm to the ecosystems of mountain rivers and not bring the expected results.
Evgeny Simonov, a leading expert at the international public foundation «Rivers Without Borders», says that the construction of a hydroelectric power station on the Pskem River violates the environmental protection territory, since it is located on the territory of the Ugamo-Chatkal Natural Park.
«The length of the Pskem River is about 70 km. According to the latest information, glaciers, where Uzbekistan’s mountain rivers originate, are melting very quickly due to climate change. And the construction of mini-hydroelectric power stations on such mountain rivers is fraught with the fact that at a certain moment the river may dry up. Also, energy production depends on the flow of water volume and the height of its fall. And with a decrease in the volume of water due to climate change, it will generate less electricity, which was previously planned», — says Simonov.
The damage caused to nature during the construction of small hydroelectric power stations will be much greater than the acquired megawatts, he believes.
Timur Abduraupov, a zoologist and employee of the Institute of Zoology of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, agrees with him, who also notes that during the construction of a mini-hydroelectric power station no one calculates the damage caused to nature.
«The construction of power plants causes enormous damage to nature, as habitats are lost and the animals themselves are lost. Unfortunately, during the construction of such structures, no one does any further analytics on causing damage to nature. In the law «On Hunting and Hunting», in the Resolution №290 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the price of each plant, animal, insect is indicated», he says.
According to Abduraupov, this should be dealt with by the Ministry of Ecology.
«It must calculate the damage. And organizations that build mini-hydroelectric power plants must pay the state for damage caused to nature. That is, when planning the construction of any structure, the Ministry of Ecology must give a specific answer, having previously conducted an examination of whether endemic species live or grow in these territories, and what damage the construction will cause to these species», he said.
Bakhtiyor Sheraliev, an ichthyologist, says that if we consider that most mini-hydroelectric power plants are built on the basis of mountain rivers, it is necessary to pay attention to how much local aquatic organisms [organisms adapted to live in aquatic environments – editor’s note] are taken into account.
«Because the composition of the ichthyofauna of most of our mountain rivers is unique, and they are endemic species of the region. For example, you can find such rare and rare species of fish as Triplophysa daryoae in the Fergana Valley, Triplophysa ferganaensis in Shohimardonsoy, Iskandaria kuschakewitschi in Chodaksoy, Triplophysa elegans in Dukentsay in the Tashkent region, Cottus spinulosus in the Ugam River», — said the ichthyologist.
In his opinion, small hydroelectric power plants installed in the beds of these rivers and streams can complicate the migration of fish across the basin and affect the process of species reproduction.
Before building a mini-hydroelectric power station, it is necessary to conduct an environmental assessment in order to scientifically assess their impact on local species, Sheraliev believes
In addition, mini-hydroelectric power plants can influence the flow of water by changing its regime, speed, level, temperature and other characteristics.
«Mini-hydroelectric power plants take some of the water from the river to operate the turbines, which leads to a redistribution of the flow. Downstream of the water intake, the river flow can decrease significantly, especially during periods of low water. The effect of mini-hydroelectric power plants on runoff can vary seasonally. During periods of floods or high runoff, water withdrawal may be minimal, while during periods of low water, withdrawal may significantly reduce flow», he says.
In front of the water intake structures, the flow of the river slows down due to water pressure. This leads to siltation and changes in the structure of the bottom. In some areas of the channel after the waterworks, the flow may accelerate due to the concentrated flow of water. In places where water is released, turbulence can occur due to hydroelectric power stations, which can affect coastal erosion and water mixing.
Ensuring universal access to electricity remains a key challenge in the world, both economically and for environmental protection and social development. More than 700 million people, approximately 9.5 percent of the world’s population, mostly living in rural areas, still lack access to electricity.
Therefore, the construction of a mini-hydroelectric power station is one of the ways to provide energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But it also involves serious environmental and social risks that can exacerbate the challenges posed by climate change.
To minimize these risks and ensure sustainable development, it is necessary to conduct a thorough impact assessment, introduce modern technologies and ensure compliance with environmental standards, Uzbek environmentalists note.
Nargis Kosimova (CABAR.asia)