[Translation provided by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

An accident occurred at the Toktogul HPP. Power engineers refute the state of emergency, 6 August 2018

An accident occurred at the Toktogul HPP. This was stated by expert Rasul Umbetaliyev.

According to him, the accident created a threat of explosion of unit transformers. The day before, block transformer No. 1 stopped operating. Hydroelectric unit No. 1 of the Toktogul HPP does not generate electricity.

However, the press service of Electric Power Plants JSC denied the information about the accident. “The transformer is designed according to international standards and has an explosion and fire prevention system, so there are no risks. In addition, the transformer is hermetically sealed, and gas leakage from it is impossible. The third transformer installed in July is operating in test mode under the supervision of the manufacturer and has not yet been put into operation,” the company explained.

Rehabilitation is underway at the Toktogul HPP. The work is being carried out by the Chinese company JOC Technical Engineering Co Ltd.