Plizio Visual Lab

Kurpsai Hydroelectric Power Station

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

energy

Kurpsai Hydroelectric Power Station (Kyrgyzstan)

Weather…

The Kurpsai Hydroelectric Power Station is the second stage of the Naryn Cascade in Kyrgyzstan, located downstream from the Toktogul Dam. With an installed capacity of 800 MW, it ranks as the second most powerful hydroelectric plant in the country. The facility was constructed during the late 1970s and early 1980s, with the first turbine commissioned in 1981. The plant features a 113-meter-high concrete gravity dam spanning a narrow gorge of the Naryn River. As a run-of-the-river station, its operation is closely synchronized with the water release from the upstream Toktogul reservoir. Kurpsai is equipped with four generating units, each with a capacity of 200 MW. The construction was noted for its technical complexity due to the challenging geological and seismic conditions of the mountainous region. It produces an average of 2.6 billion kWh annually, playing a vital role in national energy security and regional electricity trade. The station remains a testament to large-scale hydraulic engineering in high-altitude environments and undergoes regular maintenance to sustain its generation efficiency.

Location: Kyrgyzstan
Nearby: Tash-Kumyr (15 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-5	-3	4	10	15	20	23	22	16	9	2	-4
Rain mm	21	30	36	40	29	18	8	7	7	23	33	27

📋 Practical info

🏭

What is this place?

Situated on the mighty Naryn River, this massive concrete gravity dam plays a highly significant role in Kyrgyzstan's national electricity grid. As one of the largest power stations in the country, it represents a monumental achievement in Soviet-era engineering tailored for a rugged, mountainous environment.

🚪

Visiting

Given its status as critical national infrastructure, access to the internal technical zones, switchyards, and the dam crest is usually strictly denied to casual tourists. Visitors must generally content themselves with admiring the sheer scale of the dam face and the turquoise reservoir from public access points.

👀

Where to view it

The main highway connecting the northern and southern regions of the country winds closely past the gorge, providing dramatic elevated views of the massive dam structure. Stopping safely at wider bends in the road allows travelers to photograph the dramatic contrast between the industrial concrete and the wild river canyon.

🧺

Local products

In the settlements along the highway leading to the dam, travelers can often purchase quintessential Kyrgyz road-trip snacks to sustain their journey. These roadside stands typically feature an array of dried fruits, local nuts, smoked mountain fish, and the mildly fermented traditional beverage known as kumis.

📆

Active season

The thunderous release of water through the spillways is most dramatic during the late spring and early summer, when the surrounding mountains rapidly shed their winter snowpack. However, the road traversing this mountainous region is generally most safely navigated during the dry and sunny late summer months.

➕

Nearby

This impressive engineering marvel is a popular brief stopover for travelers making the scenic overland journey between the capital city, Bishkek, and the southern hub of Osh. The nearby Toktogul Reservoir has fantastic opportunities for swimming, casual fishing, and relaxing amidst a remarkable mountainous backdrop.