Iranian companies ready to develop hydropower in Kazakhstan

Iranian companies may engage in ambitious hydrotechnical projects in Kazakhstan. Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan Nurzhan Nurzhigitov and Energy Minister of Iran Ali Akbar Mehrabian discussed potential new projects on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Astana, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation reported.

According to Nurzhigitov, Kazakhstan needs new dams after devastating floods this spring. This is why he invited Iranian investors to negotiate the issue. In turn, Iranian companies indicated that they could implement various hydro projects in Kazakhstan based on the design of the Bakhtiari Hydroelectric Plant in Iranian Lorestan, one of the biggest dams in the world.

«The floods have shown us that our country needs new water reservoirs to collect overflow water for further use. Iranian companies are implementing many successful projects inside Iran. We know how effective their work has been, which is why we are interested in close and long-term cooperation with our Iranian colleagues,» Nurzhigitov said.

Moreover, Kazakhstan will purchase Iranian automated drip irrigation systems and other irrigation solutions, as Iran has managed to boost its rice yields with less water. Apart from irrigation and dam matters, the two sides also discussed issues related to the regional energy market the SCO member states can create in the future.