Shardara Hydropower Plant Receives EBRD Loan for Modernization

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has allocated a loan of 9.15 billion tenge (€50 million) to finance modernization of the 100-megawatt Shardara hydropower plant in South Kazakhstan. The loan agreement between EBRD and JSC “Samruk–Energo” was signed in London on 24 August 2012.

In a press release issued by Samruk-Energo, Corporate Head Almasadam Satkaliyev said that the modernization project is important for South Kazakhstan electricity. It will attract the use of new technologies and develop renewable sources of energy.

The project will replace old equipment, including four existing power generation units, and improve efficiency of the hydropower plant. Replacement will be gradual allowing the power plant to supply electricity throughout the project cycle. Consulting services will also be provided to the project implementation unit.

The project is included in the State Program of Accelerated Industrial and Innovative Development for 2010–2014. It is targeted to prevent emergency shutdowns of the power plant, bringing its capacities up by 16% to 116 megawatts and generating another 57 million kilowatt-hours a year. The project is estimated at 13.54 billion tenge (€74 million).

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