Improving the living conditions of people living in the Amu Darya river basin and the problems of siltation at the Tuyamuyun hydroelectric complex were discussed during an online meeting of the working group of experts of the European Union project “Nexus Dialogue in Central Asia”, implemented by the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC).
The transboundary site along the border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is an excellent example of the deep interconnection of the key elements of the Nexus approach water-energy-food.
The Tuyamuyun hydroelectric complex provides seasonal regulation of the volume of water in the Amu Darya river and the availability of water and energy resources necessary for farms engaged in the cultivation of melons and other crops (wheat, cotton), as well as fish farming.
However, the natural process of siltation complicates the efficient use of water, which is a problem for all water bodies in Central Asia.After discussing the scope of work and technical measures for pumping sediments from the channel reservoir, the members of the working group agreed to assess the climatic vulnerability and risks at the site, as well as develop an adaptation program.
The Nexus demonstration project is aimed at finding technical and investment opportunities to solve the problem of intensive siltation of the channel reservoir at the Tuyamuyun hydroelectric complex.Its implementation will take place from February 2021 to December 2022, with the support of the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State Committee for Water Resources of Turkmenistan.
“This demonstration project will certainly contribute to further strengthening and expanding transboundary water cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan,” said Murze Purliev, chief specialist of the department of production, industry and mechanization of the State Committee for Water Resources of Turkmenistan.
The technical working group included authorized representatives of the relevant ministries and departments of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the operation department of the Tuyamuyun hydroelectric complex itself.
We believe that the attention and efforts invested in the Tuyamuyun hydroelectric complex will be justified, since this object plays an important role for the countries of the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River and supports the standard of living of the local population.
Innovative solutions for cleaning and utilizing bottom sediments will reduce opportunity costs for the agricultural sector of both countries, said Kurbanbai Babazhanov, head of the Tuyamuyun hydroelectric complex operation department.