There is a saying in Kazakhstan that goes, ‘Friendship is strengthened by reciprocity.’ The Turgusun hydropower station, jointly built by China and Kazakhstan, is a vivid portrayal of this saying.
A few days ago, the reporter set out from the capital of East Kazakhstan, Eskomen, and drove about 180 kilometers southeast to the Turgusun Hydropower Station in the Altay Mountains. The hydroelectric power plant room with blue exterior walls is nestled among the lush mountains, dazzling like a gemstone.
Sun Peng, Deputy General Manager of Kazakhstan Branch of CCCC Sinohydro International Co., Ltd., told reporters that Turgusun Hydropower Station is the first key project to be launched in the hydropower field of capacity cooperation under the framework of the “the Belt and Road” jointly built by China and Kazakhstan. It was put into production in July 2021 and has been running smoothly for nearly four years.
Zhargas Isenov, the on-site dispatcher on duty at the hydropower station, said that he came here in 2021 when the construction of the hydropower station entered its final stage. When I first arrived, I was not familiar with the advanced equipment here. My Chinese colleagues patiently and meticulously explained the equipment operation, monitoring, and management precautions
Isenov recalled, “At that time, the outdoor temperature was as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius. In order to ensure the smooth trial operation of the unit, Chinese engineers lived with us in the central control room, ate and lived together, and solved problems at any time, allowing the unit to pass the acceptance inspection in advance. My Chinese colleagues and I also formed a deep friendship
The four floors above ground in the hydroelectric power plant room are the offices of the staff, and it is only when entering the underground floor that one truly enters the core area – where the three hydroelectric generators are located.
On site dispatcher Nebomiashchi Anton told reporters that during his years working at the hydropower station, he has mastered key technologies and become a professional engineer. This profession not only earns me respect, but also allows me to give back to my hometown with what I have learned and become a witness to the technical cooperation between Kazakhstan and China
After the completion of the Turgusun Hydropower Station, it filled half of the power gap in the Altai region of Donghai Oblast, effectively alleviating the local power shortage situation. Ashit Maksut, the general manager of the hydropower station, said that the hydropower station not only promotes local economic and social development, but also further improves the ecological environment. During the construction period of the hydropower station, over 200 job opportunities were created for local residents. This hydropower station has shown the world that through technological cooperation and shared ideas, we can achieve a win-win situation for the economy, society, and ecology in difficult environments
At present, the Turgusun River is in flood season, and the water pours down from the dam, hitting rocks and water. The white waves surge and the sound of surging waves is endless.
Karaubek Baimuhanbetov, the General Manager and current Technical Consultant of Turgusun Hydropower Station, has fully experienced the entire process of this hydropower station from signing the contract to finally putting it into operation and generating electricity.
“The Turgusun Hydropower Station Project is one of the representative achievements of cooperation under the framework of the” the Belt and Road “initiative jointly built by Kazakhstan and China, and the days when engineers and workers of the two countries worked together to achieve this goal are vivid in our memory.” Baimuhanbetov said, “With the help of China, we will continue to build new hydropower stations in East Kazakhstan that are more modern, more environmentally friendly and have larger installed capacity.”