The Programme Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has handed over video surveillance equipment to the National Guard of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan to enhance the security of the country’s strategic energy facilities.

The facilities being secured are the 450-MW Tash-Kuymr and 800-MW Kurpsai hydroelectric power stations, part of the country’s Naryn hydropower plant cascade.

“The Programme Office continuously supports the National Guard of Kyrgyzstan in its efforts to enhance the security of strategic facilities, which can become a possible target for criminals,” said Valeriu Chiveri, deputy head of the OSCE Programme Office. “Moreover, we closely co-operate on the prevention and effective management of emergency situations.”

The office and National Guard have “conducted various activities over the past few years aimed at strengthening [the] country’s counter-terrorism efforts and protecting critical energy infrastructure,” OSCE said. In July 2015, the OSCE Programme Office and National Guard signed a protocol on strengthening counter-terrorism capacity. Two other large hydropower stations in the country, 240-MW Shamaldysai and 180-MW Uch-Korgon, were equipped with surveillance cameras in 2013 and 2014.

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The most recent transfer of equipment took place within the framework of the OSCE project, “Strengthening National Capacity in Meeting the Politico-Military Commitments and Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure.”

For more recent news on Kyrgyzstan hydroelectricity, click here.

Other countries, such as Spain and Bolivia, are working on the topic of dam security and safety.