Putin expresses readiness to build hydro and nuclear power plants in Central Asia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to increase Russian investment and participation in major energy projects in the Central Asian region. He made the statement on October 9 during the second ’’Russia–Central Asia’’ summit held in Dushanbe.

According to Putin, Moscow is ready to participate not only in traditional hydrocarbon projects but also in the construction of nuclear and hydroelectric power plants, the development of renewable energy sources, and the modernization of water-energy infrastructure.

’’Russian companies are ready to participate in the construction of new hydroelectric power plants, as well as projects aimed at ensuring the safe operation of water-energy infrastructure and the rational use of water resources and transboundary rivers,’’ Putin said.

He also emphasized that this process is linked to the implementation of modern Russian technologies and the integration of renewable energy sources into the region’s energy system.

Investment foundations and priority areas

Putin noted that mutual trade between Russia and Central Asian countries has exceeded $45 billion, while Russian investments in the region’s economies total over $20 billion. However, he stressed that these figures are not sufficient.

He particularly called for strengthening cooperation in technological and industrial sectors, including import substitution.

One of the implemented areas of collaboration is the modernization of hydroelectric power plants, most of which were built during the Soviet era.

Specifically, Putin highlighted Russia’s participation in modernizing infrastructure in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins, as well as projects in the Aral Sea region aimed at water conservation, reuse technologies, and reforestation efforts.

In addition, Putin emphasized that Russia has allocated over $33 million for joint programs with Central Asian countries.

The region’s priority areas include, alongside energy, the development of transport and logistics chains, particularly the North–South and East–West corridors.

Existing and planned projects

Russian companies have expressed their readiness to construct new hydroelectric power plants in Central Asian countries.

In Tajikistan, Russian companies have already invested in the hydropower sector, notably in the Sangtuda-1 HPP, in which Russia holds a significant stake.

One of the major projects is the Kambarata-1 HPP on the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan, which, once completed, will become the country’s largest power plant. With Russian investment, Kyrgyzstan is also developing the Upper Naryn hydropower cascade project.

In addition, Russia is ready to participate in the construction of small nuclear power plants.

In March 2025, Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachyov announced that Russia had proposed a small nuclear power plant project to Tajikistan. According to him, Dushanbe is currently reviewing the proposal, with discussions at an initial stage. Rosatom is also discussing a small nuclear power plant project (110–440 MW) in Kyrgyzstan.

In Uzbekistan, a nuclear power plant project using RITM-200N series reactors, with an estimated capacity of around 330 MW, has already been approved for construction in the Jizzakh region, with Rosatom serving as the main contractor.