The Hydropower Plant Cascade project represents a key development in the renewable energy infrastructure of the Almaty Region.
This initiative is structured as a cascade system, featuring two hydroelectric power plants: HPP-1 and HPP-2. Together, they offer a substantial total installed capacity of 12 MW, with each plant contributing 6 MW of clean energy.
The location in the Almaty Region is ideal, chosen specifically for its strong hydrological potential—an abundant and reliable water resource necessary for consistent hydropower generation. Furthermore, the region is recognized for its well-established renewable energy sector, allowing the project to seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure and support the area’s transition to sustainable power. This project is set to be a reliable, long-term source of green electricity.
Kazakhstan has significant hydropower resources, with an estimated 170 billion kWh of gross potential and 62 billion kWh of feasible potential. This River is located within the country’s South-Eastern hydropower zone, a priority area for small HP expansion to support Kazakhstan’s long-term renewable energy targets.
The project has been designed based on detailed topographic and hydrological assessments, and the environmental safety of the facility.
Each HPP of the cascade is a combination of hydraulic structures and electromechanical equipment that convert the gravitational energy of the water flow into electrical energy for delivery to the regional grid. The expected lifespan of the plant is 25-35 years, with potential for significantly longer service life given standard refurbishment cycles typical in hydropower assets.
Main technical and economic parameters of the designed HPP-1 & HPP2
| Name (indicator) |
Units of
measurement |
Value of the
indicator (HPP1) |
Value of the
indicator (HPP2) |
| Recommended (indicative) installed power |
MW |
2х3’000 |
2х3’000 |
| Head (gross) |
m |
167,271 |
167,271 |
| Working pressure (net), m |
m |
157,33—166,79 |
157,33—166,79 |
| Maximum water flow through the turbine |
m3/s |
4,7 |
4,7 |
| Indicative volume of electricity generation |
million kWh |
28,964 |
24,448 |
Indicative unified main technical and economic parameters of the designed HPP Cascade (HPP-1 and HPP-2)
| Parameter name |
Units of
measurement |
Value of the
indicator |
| Installed capacity |
kW |
12 000,00 |
| Electricity production (annual) |
million kWh |
53,412 |
| Construction cost (excluding IDC) |
thousand USD |
19 998,93 |
| Construction Cost (including IDC and loan charHPP) |
thousand USD |
23 139,03 |
| Specific capital investment per 1 kW |
USD per 1 kW |
1 666,58 |
| Specific capital investment per 1 kWh |
USD per 1 kW |
0,37 |
| Electricity tariff during the payback period (“fixed tariff”)* |
KZT per 1 kW*h |
37,05 |
| Net income in the first year of operation during the payback period |
thousand USD |
3 498,43 |
| Net income in the first year after the payback period |
thousand USD |
5 995,70 |
| Net Present Value (NPV) |
thousand USD |
10 977,61 |
| Internal Financial Rate of Return |
% |
27,3 |
| Payback period (discounted) |
years |
9 |
| Payback period (downtime) |
years |
5,72 |
| Profitability Index |
|
1,38 |
Financial Forecast
| Financial / Technical Parameter |
Value / Detail |
|
|
| Location / Project Name |
Almaty Region, Kazakhstan (Cascade HPP-1 & HPP-2) |
| Installed Capacity |
12 MW (2 × 6 MW units) |
| Target Asking Price |
$7,500,000 USD |
| Projected Annual Generation |
53.412 GWh (53,412,000 kWh) |
| PPA Fixed Tariff |
37.05 KZT / kWh |
| Total Construction CAPEX (inc. IDC & Financing) |
$23,139,030 USD |
| Estimated Annual Gross Revenue |
~$4,200,000 – $4,500,000 USD |
| Estimated Annual OPEX |
~$700,000 – $1,000,000 USD |
| Estimated Annual EBITDA |
~$3,500,000 – $3,800,000 USD |
| Implied EBITDA Margin |
~83% – 88% |
| Year 1 Net Income (Payback Period) |
$3,498,430 USD |
| Post-Payback Annual Net Income |
$5,995,700 USD |
| Financial Internal Rate of Return (IRR) |
27.3% |
| Discounted Payback Period |
9.0 Years (5.72 years simple) |
| Net Present Value (NPV) |
$10,977,610 USD |
