Kyrgyzstan Local Politics - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 7 - 12 of 435

Electricity Supply

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Brace for Winter Power Shortages

As winter approaches, Kyrgyzstan is warning of potential electricity shortfalls due to critically low water levels in its hydro-reservoirs, and authorities are rolling out emergency measures. These include urging electricity conservation, shutting down all cryptocurrency mining farms to relieve grid pressure, increasing electricity imports, and accelerating repairs and upgrades to aging power-generation infrastructure. Officials with the Ministry of Energy and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic say the reserves in key hydropower reservoirs are at their lowest level in more than a decade. At the same time, demand for electricity in homes and businesses is forecast to increase significantly this winter because of colder temperatures. The gap between supply and demand has forced the government to ask households to reduce electricity use during peak hours. Historically, Kyrgyzstan has relied heavily on hydropower. The country’s flagship facility, the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Station, supplies roughly 40% of the nation's electricity. But its reservoirs are fed primarily by spring and summer snowmelt. In recent years, melting snow has arrived earlier and run-off has fallen, shrinking water levels. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Kyrgyzstan’s hydroelectric system faces serious seasonal variability in its generational capacity. This winter’s challenge is compounded by weak output from thermal plants and delayed maintenance. The government reports that the ageing coal-fired and gas-fired plants in the north and south of the country require urgent repairs, with rehabilitating the plant in Bishkek alone set to cost around $150 million. With limited funds, several units will remain offline during the cold months. The immediate consequences for households are already appearing. Residents in Bishkek and surrounding regions have reported recurrent evening outages sometimes lasting a few hours. Landlord-run apartment blocks plan to brief residents about schedules for rotating cuts. In smaller towns and villages, citizens fear longer blackouts if the cold deepens. Businesses are also feeling the shock. Small-scale manufacturers report that they have had to halt production during scheduled cuts, eroding profits and increasing costs. Schools and hospitals say they are depending on standby generators. Energy stability plays a central role in Kyrgyzstan’s economy and social well-being. Without reliable power, business productivity falls, heating systems malfunction, and social discontent can spike. In recent years, protests over energy prices and outages have forced the government to scramble for solutions. The current measures are aimed not only at keeping the lights on but maintaining public confidence ahead of looming parliamentary elections. Regionally, Kyrgyzstan’s electricity system interacts with its neighbors. The country imports power from Kazakhstan and exchanges electricity with Uzbekistan, with cross-border feeds from Kazakhstan helping to cover shortages. This winter, Kazakhstan’s own constraints may limit exports, leaving Kyrgyzstan more exposed. Meanwhile, China has offered investment in hydropower expansion as part of regional cooperation. That deal may eventually increase supply, but it will not help in the short term. Meanwhile, neighboring Tajikistan is grappling with comparable winter electricity pressures. The country sources about 95% of its electricity from hydropower and enters the cold season with low reservoir and river flows that sharply...

Water Access

Central Asia Confirms Joint Water Plan for Shardara Reservoir Ahead of 2025-2026 Season

Central Asian nations have reached a consensus on projected water inflow volumes to the Shardara Reservoir for the upcoming non-vegetation period, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. The agreement was finalized during a regional meeting attended by senior officials: Durdy Gendjiev, Chair of Turkmenistan’s State Committee for Water Management; Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation; Shavkat Hamraev, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Management; and Jamshed Shodi Shoimzoda, First Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan. Emil Shodikhanov, an adviser at the Kyrgyz Embassy in Turkmenistan, participated as an observer. Participants reviewed outcomes from the 2025 irrigation season and approved the operational forecast for the Naryn-Syr Darya reservoir cascade for the 2025-2026 non-vegetation period. A consensus was reached on expected inflow volumes to Shardara Reservoir, which is a critical node in the region’s transboundary water system. The meeting also included discussions on progress in implementing the commitments made during recent summits of the founding states of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. The 92nd session of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) is scheduled to take place next year in Tajikistan. “Last irrigation season took place under difficult climate conditions. However, coordinated cooperation among the ICWC member states made it possible to ensure stability throughout the vegetation period,” said Nurzhigitov. “Through such meetings, we reach common agreements and lay the foundation for future cooperation. Together with our colleagues in Central Asia, we aim for a fair distribution of transboundary water resources that considers the interests of all parties.” This agreement follows the 16 November regional summit chaired by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during which Central Asian leaders discussed enhancing regional cooperation and accelerating joint infrastructure projects. The summit focused on escalating ecological and water challenges, and leaders stressed the need to adopt a “green development” framework for the region. They also proposed declaring 2026-2036 as the “Decade of Practical Action for the Rational Use of Water in Central Asia.”

Digital Technologies

Kyrgyzstan Moves Toward Fully Digital Justice System

On November 17, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed new legislation aimed at modernizing the country’s judicial system and expanding citizens’ access to justice through advanced digital technologies. The new law introduces a fully digital framework for legal proceedings, intended to accelerate litigation and increase transparency. Beginning January 1, 2026, administrative, civil, and economic cases will be processed entirely within a digital environment. Under this system, court rulings, protocols, and other legal documents will be deemed legally valid if signed with a digital signature. All filings, including lawsuits, appeals, cassation complaints, and petitions for case review, must be submitted electronically through a unified digital platform, with each document requiring a digital signature and completion of an electronic form. Participants in legal proceedings will be able to access and download court decisions online. The legislation significantly reduces and eventually aims to eliminate the need for individuals to appear in court in person as plaintiffs, defendants, witnesses, or experts. Remote participation and the mandatory audio and video recording of all court sessions will be central features of the new system. According to government officials, the reform marks a systemic shift from paper-based litigation toward a digital, streamlined model designed to improve judicial efficiency and accountability. In parallel, President Japarov also signed the Law “On Mediation,” which introduces mandatory pre-trial and extra-judicial mediation for certain categories of civil and criminal disputes. The goal is to ease the burden on courts and promote a culture of peaceful conflict resolution. While these reforms represent a step toward modernization, Kyrgyzstan’s judiciary continues to face significant structural challenges. The Global Organized Crime Index identifies the judicial system as among the most corrupt institutions in the country, citing persistent issues of bribery, political pressure, and influence from organized crime networks. The presumption of innocence is frequently disregarded, and courts are often criticized for operating under a de facto presumption of guilt. A 2023 nationwide survey by the International Republican Institute found that 49% of respondents identified the courts as the most corrupt institution in Kyrgyzstan.

Electricity

Energy-Saving Measures Introduced in Kyrgyzstan: Who Will Be Affected?

Kyrgyzstan's Cabinet of Ministers has implemented a series of measures aimed at improving energy efficiency and ensuring the rational use of electricity. The move comes amid an electricity shortage caused by persistently low water levels in the country’s main reservoirs. What’s Happening? Officials have reported a record surge in electricity consumption this year, coupled with a continuing regional drought. In response, the government has ordered a restriction on indoor and outdoor lighting between 6p.m. and 6a.m. However, the Cabinet emphasized that the new measures will not apply to strategic facilities, 24-hour operations, or institutions responsible for defense, security, health care, social services, or other critical public functions. “These measures do not affect processes essential to the technological operation of buildings,” stated the government’s press service. According to official estimates, the restrictions could save approximately 40 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per month. This year, Kyrgyzstan has already recorded electricity consumption that exceeds last year’s figures by 1 billion kilowatt-hours. The government attributes the increased demand to the launch of new industrial enterprises, the expansion of social and educational institutions, and ongoing residential construction. The situation is further worsened by declining water inflow to the Naryn River, which feeds the Toktogul Reservoir and its namesake hydroelectric plant. The reservoir's water level is currently 2 billion cubic meters lower than it was during the same period last year. “The Cabinet’s primary objective is to ensure rational water use in the Toktogul Reservoir and reduce the load on the energy system,” the government said. The goal is to prevent the reservoir from reaching a critical low. Who Will Be Responsible? The Ministry of Energy has mandated that all government agencies and state-owned entities switch off power in the evenings and at night once staff have left their workplaces. Heads of municipal bodies and public institutions will bear personal responsibility for any violations of the new regulations. How Are Residents Responding? For now, residents in the private sector report that little has changed. However, there are growing concerns that household power limits may soon be tightened. “They say our electricity consumption will be restricted. It used to be capped at 5 kilowatts at a time, but now they’re talking about reducing it to 3. That would make things much harder, especially if it’s a cold winter,” said Alexander Verkholantsev, a resident of central Bishkek, who spoke with The Times of Central Asia. Authorities have already announced that electricity restrictions for residential consumers during peak hours will be in place from October 2025 through March 2026. Despite this, many households still exceed the 3-kilowatt threshold.

Bilateral Trade

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Aim to Boost Trade to $3 Billion by 2030

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have reaffirmed their commitment to increasing bilateral trade to $3 billion annually by 2030. This objective was emphasized during the 13th meeting of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Council, held on November 13 in Astana and co-chaired by Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan. The meeting covered a broad spectrum of cooperation, including trade, investment, water and energy management, as well as cultural and humanitarian initiatives. Kasymaliev highlighted recent progress, noting that bilateral trade reached $1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2025, a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Direct investment from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan totaled nearly $64 million in the first half of 2025. “This demonstrates the Kazakh business community’s trust in Kyrgyzstan and the broad opportunities for new projects,” said Kasymaliev. Key Infrastructure Projects and Trade Hubs The Council identified priority areas to strengthen cooperation. Chief among them is the construction of an industrial, trade, and logistics complex near the Karasu and Ak-Tilek road checkpoints at the border. This facility is expected to become a major regional hub for cargo consolidation, processing, and distribution, advancing industrial integration between the two economies. Another key project is the establishment of a wholesale storage and distribution center for fruits and vegetables in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region. This facility aims to secure uninterrupted agricultural trade between the two countries. Bilateral trade in agricultural products surged by 42% in the first eight months of 2025, reaching $326 million. Over 80% of that trade volume comprised exports from Kazakhstan. Energy Cooperation and Border Infrastructure The sides also discussed potential supplies of Kazakh oil and motor fuel to Kyrgyzstan. The latter consumes about 1.6 million tons of motor fuel annually, with 93% imported from Russia. Fuel prices in Kyrgyzstan have climbed since mid-2025, driven by higher wholesale costs in Russia, linked to reduced refining capacity, damage from Ukrainian drone attacks, and sanctions-related difficulties in acquiring technological equipment. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan stressed the need to complete the ongoing reconstruction of three key border checkpoints, Kichi-Kapka-Besagash, Ak-Tilek-Karasuu and Karkyra-Kegen-which are expected to significantly facilitate cross-border trade. Tourism and Cultural Cooperation The two countries are also prioritizing mountain tourism. Plans include reviving tourist routes to Khan Tengri Peak, a destination located on the border and shared by both states, offering mutual opportunities to boost tourism-related revenues.

Kyrgyzstan Elections

Kyrgyzstan Elections 2025: Short Campaign, High Stakes

Campaigning for seats in Kyrgyzstan’s upcoming parliamentary elections is underway, and it is already shaping up to be a race unlike anything seen before in Kyrgyzstan. The 467 candidates competing for the 90 seats in parliament have only 20 days to make their cases to voters in their districts. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov’s government has vowed to keep these elections clean and fair, and threatened severe punishment for those who attempt to cheat in any way. Uneven Electoral Landscape The country is divided into 30 voting districts, and in each district, the three candidates who receive the most votes will win seats. The level of competition varies, depending on the district. Electoral district 11, which is Manas city (formerly Jalal-Abad), has 155,023 eligible voters. Only five candidates are running in the district, three of whom are women. According to new election rules, a woman (or a man) must win at least one of the three seats available in each district. Name recognition is always important, and especially so in elections with many newcomers seeking seats in parliament. One of the candidates in District 11 is Shairbek Tashiyev, the brother of the current head of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB), Kamchybek Tashiyev. He is almost certain to win one of the seats. In electoral district 19 in Kyrgyzstan’s northern Chuy Province, with 138,373 eligible voters, there are 25 candidates competing. The two districts with the largest number of voters, district 15 in the Aksy area of western Kyrgyzstan with 160,218 voters, and district 28 in the Zhety-Oguz area of eastern Kyrgyzstan with 160,181 voters, have, respectively, 15 candidates and 17 candidates. In the districts where there are 15 or more candidates, the three winners might only receive around 10,000 votes, or even less. The candidates are out meeting with voters, but many are relying on social networks to promote their image and spread their message. Domestic television stations, ElTR and UTRK, are airing candidate debates that “will be distributed regionally, depending on the candidates' electoral districts.” Not Running Eleven of the current 90 deputies in parliament have opted not to run for reelection. Among them are Iskhak Masaliyev - currently in the Butun (United) Kyrgyzstan Party but previously the long-time head of Kyrgyzstan’s Communist Party - the son of Absamat Masaliyev, who was first secretary of the Communist Party of the “Kirghizia” Soviet Socialist Republic from 1985 until independence in August 1991. Another current member of parliament who is not running is Jalolidin Nurbayev, whose attempt to register was rejected due to two criminal cases having previously been opened against him, one in 2006, the other in 2021.” A new election rule prohibits people whose cases were “terminated on non-rehabilitating grounds” from being eligible to hold public office. Effectively, this means that any case against them has been closed without declaring the person innocent, but without restoring their reputation, even though they are no longer being prosecuted. Members of organized criminal groups and their family members have won seats...