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Price of Gasoline Set to Rise in Kyrgyzstan

The Ministry of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyzstan has presented a bill, approved by parliament, introducing new mark-ups on fuel and lubricants. Legislative changes to impose additional charges on each liter of gasoline sold at gas stations, are intended to accrue extra funds from motorists for road maintenance. In addition, a recycling fee will be introduced for processing automobile tires, alongside a fee for waste oil disposal, to be accumulated in a new Road Fund under the Finance Ministry. Other regulations introduced by the Cabinet of Ministers include the necessity for all gas stations to use unique markers for gasoline and diesel ; a move which the State Tax Service believes will ensure fuel production transparency and import accounting. The cost of such labeling is yet to be determined, and as stated by Kanat Eshatov, president of the Association of Oil Traders of Kyrgyzstan, “We don't know how much gasoline prices may go up. It will all depend on the size of these fees. Initially, they said that gasoline labeling, in general, would be free. Then, they said that it would be at the expense of oil traders. Today, we do not know the price of the marker, whether it will be stable or change, and whether it will be subject to stock exchange jumps or stability. The price of gasoline and its stability will depend on this." The cost of gasoline has been rising throughout the year, largely as a result of a general increase in prices and repairs at refineries in Russia, from which Kyrgyzstan receives a significant amount of fuel. Meanwhile, the State Antimonopoly Service of Kyrgyzstan reports that the situation in the market of fuels and lubricants in the country remains stable. Supplies of oil products to Kyrgyzstan are carried out without interruptions, and fuel reserves in the country are designed for 1.5-2 months.

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Referendum for Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan Passes

Kazakhstan's nuclear energy referendum on October 6 passed with a 71,12 % majority, marking a pivotal shift in the country's energy strategy. The nation has faced significant challenges with an aging energy infrastructure and a reliance on Russia to fill the gaps. The decision comes with historical sensitivities as Kazakhstan continues to grapple with the legacy of Soviet-era nuclear tests that caused widespread harm. The referendum offered citizens a direct voice in shaping their energy future, reflecting both the urgency of addressing the country’s current needs and the deep-seated concerns over nuclear safety. On the referendum ballot, Kazakhstanis were asked, “Do you agree to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan?”. The voter turnout was high, according to the Central Referendum Commission, with 7,820,918 Kazakhstan citizens receiving ballots, amounting to a 63.87% voter turnout. The voter turnout for the referendum on the new constitution in Kazakhstan, held on June 5, 2022, was similarly high at 68.44%. As the world's largest uranium producer, Kazakhstan is well-positioned to leverage its rich resources to transition towards more sustainable energy solutions. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has emphasized the critical importance of nuclear energy, not only in meeting the immediate electricity needs amidst frequent power outages but also in aligning with global environmental commitments. At the Convention on Climate Change (COP28) held in Dubai on December 1, 2023, Tokayev made a Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. The nuclear power plant is expected to reduce Kazakhstan's reliance on fossil fuels, thus decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Uzbekistan has already begun construction of a nuclear power plant 55km from the Kazakhstan border. Kyrgyzstan may also build a nuclear power plant in the Chui region, which is less than 300km south of the planned Kazakhstani plant in Ulken on Lake Balkash. International observers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) have all affirmed that the recent referendum was conducted in accordance with current legislation, describing it as open, free, and legitimate. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vasilenko noted the participation of over 200 foreign journalists during the referendum, underscoring the transparency and openness of the voting process. Radio Free Europe, through its affiliate Azattyk, was critical of the referendum. An incident of ballot stuffing at a Turkestan poll station was reported, as were accessibility issues for the disabled voters in the Uralsk region. One observer witnessed a suspicious busload of voters in Turkestan. RFE correspondents reported difficulty in getting voter turnout results throughout the afternoon at a station in Karganda and Aktobe. With that in mind, the irregularities seem to be few and far between overall: The League of Young Voters, a vigilant group of local observers, identified a total of 20 technical violations across the country’s 10,249 polling stations. The referendum day proceeded without significant issues, shifting attention to Kazakhstan's urgent energy shortfalls. With the nuclear power plant expected to be operational in 2034,...

Central Asia Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan Begins Construction of Another Small Hydropower Plant

The construction of a small hydroelectric power plant on the Ak-Buura River at the Papan reservoir in Kyrgyzstan’s southern Osh region has begun. The Ak-Buura River supplies water to Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city, Osh. The Papan reservoir is located in the Papan Gorge, and the power plant will be constructed in the narrowest part of the Ak-Buura River valley. The small hydropower plant will have a capacity of 25 MW and will generate 103 million kWh of electricity per year. The project costs $27 million. "The construction of a small hydroelectric power plant at the Papan reservoir is another strategic step towards the country’s energy independence," Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov stated at the ceremony to launch the construction on October 5. In recent years, Kyrgyzstan has been working to expand its energy capacity by building small and large hydroelectric plants to address electricity shortages. Earlier this year, Kyrgyzstan constructed small hydroelectric power plants in Bala-Saruu in the northwestern Talas region and Kok-Art and Kainama small hydropower plants in the southern Jalal-Abad region. In 2023, Kyrgyzstan met 80% of its electricity demand, which totaled 17.2 billion kilowatt-hours. The remaining 20%, or 3.4 billion kilowatt-hours, was imported. Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev last week stated that despite an increase in water levels at Kyrgyzstan’s largest Toktogul hydroelectric power plant (HPP) reservoir this year, the country would still be facing an electricity deficit of about 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours. The positive is that Ibraev said in parliament on October 4 that there will be no scheduled blackouts this winter, as his ministry has done a good job preparing the power distribution system for the coming winter. The Energy Ministry has installed new and repaired all the existing transformers nationwide. In previous years, Kyrgyzstan practiced scheduled restrictions on electricity supply for several hours a day to save electricity during peak consumption hours in winter. The minister also announced that starting January 1, 2025, Turkmenistan will supply Kyrgyzstan with 1.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.

Central Asia Uzbekistan International Affairs Local Politics Business & Economy Uzbekistan Business & Economy Uzbekistan International Affairs Uzbekistan Local Politics

World Bank Allocates $800 Million to Support Uzbekistan’s Market Economy Transition

The World Bank has allocated $800 million to accelerate Uzbekistan's transition to an inclusive and stable market economy. The government’s reform program, supported by the World Bank, aims to improve Uzbekistan’s business environment, increase agriculture, railways, and energy efficiency, improve public finance management, expand social services, and enhance readiness for environmental risks. Finance provided by the World Bank through highly concessional loans, is reported to offer the government low-cost, long-term repayment options "more favorable than those available in international financial markets." The financial package aims to achieve concrete results in the social protection system, combating gender-based violence, land security for farmers, business environment, public finance management, tackling climate change, water resource management, and environmental and climate assessment. It also includes reforming climate-sensitive investment in the railway and energy sectors. Uzbekistan has received $100 million from the World Bank in May to develop social protections. On 21 June, it was announced that Uzbekistan is the first country worldwide to receive payment from the World Bank for reducing carbon emissions through a policy crediting program and to date, has been awarded a $7.5 million grant for cutting 500,000 tons of carbon emissions.

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Assault on Teacher by Parent in Tajikistan

History teacher Faizikhan Rajabova of School No. 8 in Vahdat city, Tajikistan, was attacked on October 5, on the eve of Teachers Day. She stated on social media that she was beaten by one of her students' parents in the classroom in front of the children, following her complaint to the school's director about the disruptive behavior of the student. As a result of the attack, she was hospitalized in Vahdat Hospital. In response to her appeal to Dushanbe Mayor Rustam Emomali to take action in the case, Tajikistan's Ministry of Education and Science said that an investigation is underway with the relevant bodies. Additional information will be provided once it is finalized. This case is not unique. In September 2024, student Bekhzod Nazarov was detained in Dushanbe for assaulting a teacher, and in Bokhtar, two young men were arrested for beating up a teacher. Criminal cases have been opened against the attackers under the article “hooliganism.” At a meeting with educators, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon expressed concern about such incidents and ordered the development of a law to raise the status of teachers in society. He said that respect for teachers is vital to the nation's future, and measures should be taken to improve their working conditions and role in society.

Central Asia Environment Kyrgyzstan Environment Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Business & Economy Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan Plans to Stop Importing Coal and Electricity by 2027

Kyrgyzstan plans to abandon coal imports within the next two years and stop buying foreign electricity by 2027. Speaking at a parliamentary group meeting, Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev announced that the country is already preparing to meet these challenges by actively developing the energy sector's infrastructure. Ibraev emphasized that the problem with transformers, which was relevant earlier, will be solved next year. Repairs have already been carried out in all 56 RECs (district electric networks), and five spare transformers have been provided for each of them in case of emergencies. A tender has also been held for purchasing one thousand transformers worth $58 million, of which $25 million are loan funds, $25 million is a World Bank grant, and $8 million is a Swiss grant. In addition, 600 thousand new meters are planned to be purchased. These measures will significantly improve the reliability of the country's electricity supply. The minister also noted that the country's generating capacity deficit is 300 to 400 megawatts. To solve this problem, solar power plants will be launched, allowing the country to scale down electricity imports. In addition, Ibraev announced plans to refuse coal imports in the next two years. The country is developing projects to introduce alternative energy sources and ensure energy independence. Problems with transformers in Kyrgyzstan have been acute over the past few years due to worn-out energy infrastructure and equipment shortages. Many transformer stations needed modernization, resulting in power supply failures. The government initiated large-scale transformer replacement and repair projects in response to these challenges.