Supporting ecotourism and improving water efficiency in Kyrgyzstan

Water is the natural wealth of Kyrgyzstan, which has to be preserved. The Kyrgyzstan Sustainable Energy Financing Facility(KyrSEFF) provides funding for water-saving measures, thus enabling small and medium-sized businesses in Kyrgyzstan to protect the country’s water resources.

The “Supara” ethnographic complex is a hotel complex located 40 kilometers outside of Bishkek and surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Chunkurchak. This project reflects the cultural traditions of the Kyrgyz people and the life of their ancestors. Only natural materials such as stone, clay, straw, and leather were used for the construction of the hotel suites. In this sense, the project fits into the “ecotourism” movement; therefore, responsible use of energy resources and water is also an important component of the “Supara” brand.

In September 2019, the hotel, which serves around 500 guests all year round, replaced its wastewater treatment plant thanks to a KyrSEFF loan.

“We were not satisfied with the quality of the previous wastewater treatment plant. It did not provide for optimal water quality at the outlet”, said Belek Mambetov, the Financial director of “Supara”. “We analyzed the water quality ourselves and found out that it did not meet the state standard. So we decided to replace the plant with a new one, made in Hungary, corresponding to high European quality standards”, he added.

The KyrSEFF team reviewed the project and technology selected by the client, assessing potential energy savings, as well as financial and technical parameters and risks. The investment of US$ 100,000 allows “Supara” to save US$ 12,524 in water savings annually, which corresponds to a payback period of 10 years.

The new equipment, thanks to a two-stage anaerobic wastewater treatment technology, achieves 95% water purity at the outlet, making it suitable for irrigation. Thus, “Supara” will reduce the consumption of clean water for irrigation by 30%, which amounts to more than 20,000 cubic meters per year.

“Our guests, both local and foreign, do pay attention to the environmental aspect of their stay at “Supara”, because the complex is located in such a beautiful place. It is important for all of us to keep the surrounding nature clean”, said Mambetov.

The successful implementation of the project to improve resource efficiency has allowed “Supara” to receive an additional grant from the European Union, amounting to 15% of the loan.

TheKyrgyzstan Sustainable Energy FinancingFacility (KyrSEFF)was developed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and established in 2013, with a total portfolio of US$ 55 million. To reward the successful implementation of energy saving measures through KyrSEFF, beneficiaries receive grants ranging from 10 to 35% from the total investment, and free technical support financed by the European Union (EC-IFCA).