Press-Release: EU Ambassadors Visit the Hydro4U Demonstration Site in Shakimardan, Uzbekistan
5th May 2025
As climate challenges and outdated infrastructure hinder hydropower development in Central Asia, the EU-funded Hydro4U project demonstrates innovative, sustainable small hydropower technologies tailored for remote regions.
Central Asia holds vast untapped potential for hydropower, particularly in upstream regions. However, the region faces serious challenges stemming from aging infrastructure, limited investment in new developments, and the growing impact of climate change and water scarcity. The Hydro4U project, funded by the European Union, directly addresses these issues by designing innovative, climate-resilient small hydropower (SHP) technologies that are both cost-effective and simple to implement, especially in remote areas. These technologies are developed to align with EU quality and environmental standards.
On Wednesday, 30th April 2025, a delegation of 13 Ambassadors and representatives from the embassies of European Union Member States accredited in Uzbekistan participated in a site visit tour that included Fergana Valley, where the Hydro4U demonstration site in the Shakimardan Enclave, Uzbekistan is also located. The site showcases the Francis Container Power Solution (FCPS), which was developed and manufactured by Austrian Global Hydro Energy and implemented in collaboration with the national utility Uzbekgidroenergo. The visit highlighted the project’s commitment to sustainable energy transition and regional cooperation.
Representatives from Hydro4U project partners, including the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers (TIIAME), participated in the visit. Hydro4U project coordinator Bertalan Alapfy from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), guided the delegation through the site, presenting key project milestones, technical challenges, and expected outcomes.
Current efforts within Hydro4U are concentrated on finalizing and commissioning the FCPS at Shakimardan and implementing the second demonstration, the At-Bashy Hydroshaft Power Solution in the Kyrgyz Republic. Looking ahead, Hydro4U partners will identify additional sites for replication and conduct three further feasibility studies, paving the way for broader deployment of sustainable SHP technologies across the region.
Hydro4U exemplifies how international cooperation, innovation, and environmental responsibility can drive the green energy transformation in water-stressed regions like Central Asia.
Reference to EU press-release: EU Ambassadors Visit Beneficiaries of EU-Funded Projects in Fergana and Shakhimardan | EEAS
