Cholpon-Ata, September 7, 2025 (Agencies): In a significant step toward addressing Central Asia’s deepening water and energy challenges, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan have signed a landmark trilateral agreement to exchange electricity for water, aiming to stabilize energy supplies and boost agricultural productivity amid worsening drought conditions.
The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. Under the deal, Kyrgyzstan will release additional water from the Toktogul Reservoir — a critical source for downstream irrigation — in exchange for electricity supplies from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The arrangement is designed to balance regional water use with energy needs, ensuring better support for farmers and power consumers alike.
Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said the agreements include detailed timetables for water releases and electricity deliveries. “Work in the water and energy sectors requires maximum precision and strict adherence to schedules,” he emphasized, adding that the framework would provide “a basis for the stability of energy systems and water supply for the entire region.”
In addition to supplying Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan agreed to facilitate Russian electricity transmissions via its grid, while Uzbekistan pledged to provide up to 900 kWh of electricity to southern Kazakhstan in 2026 to help cover shortages expected during power system upgrades.
The deal comes at a critical time for Central Asia. Southern Kazakhstan has faced severe arid conditions in 2025, with little rainfall and soaring temperatures. The Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM) reports that dry weather is negatively affecting crop development across the region, with Uzbekistan’s wheat yields expected to fall by about 10% compared to 2024.
Analysts say the agreement underscores the growing importance of regional cooperation to manage shared resources as climate change intensifies water stress in Central Asia. By aligning water releases with electricity support, the three countries aim to reduce the risk of blackouts, protect agricultural output, and strengthen cross-border ties.