Electricity supply - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kazakhstan Has a Deal for Tajik Electricity, Now the Wait Begins

In the latest sign of Central Asian regional cooperation, Kazakhstan has signed a long-term deal to import electricity from Tajikistan. However, that electricity might not reach Kazakhstan anytime soon, as there are some important details that need to be worked out by Tajikistan before supplies can begin. Kazakhstan’s energy problems Kazakhstan has been experiencing severe energy deficits for several years now, particularly during winter months. Kazakh Senator Suyindik Aldashev said in late February this year that Kazakhstan would be short some 5.7 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity in 2025, which would be a 46% increase in the country’s electricity deficit compared to 2024. Kazakhstan was forced to import electricity from Russia during the winter of 2024 to help alleviate energy shortages. These shortages contributed to Kazakhstan's decision to hold a referendum to approve the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant (NPP). To date, however, there has been no announcement of which company will build the NPP, so additional electricity from that source could be a decade or more away. This has led Kazakhstan to explore importing energy resources from its Central Asian neighbors. The head of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov just visited Kazakhstan and met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with Turkmen gas exports to its northern neighbor high on the agenda. Kazakhstan has been in discussions with Tajikistan about electricity shipments for months, and the agreement was finalized toward the end of April. Rogun The source of the electricity Tajikistan intends to export to Kazakhstan is the Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP) on the Vakhsh River, some 110 kilometers east of the Tajik capital Dushanbe. The Rogun HPP has a history of controversy. It was conceived in the 1960s when Tajikistan was a Soviet Republic. Construction on the project started in 1976, but not much had been done by the time the USSR collapsed in late 1991, and work ground to halt shortly thereafter. Russian company RUSAL signed an agreement in 2004 to invest more than $1 billion and finish building Rogun, but disputes over the project led the Tajik government to cancel the contract in 2007. One of the main differences between the two parties was RUSAL’s insistence the dam wall at Rogun be no higher than 285 meters, whereas the Tajik authorities wanted the original height of 335 meters. At 285 meters, the HPP’s output would have been 2400 megawatts (MW), while at 335 meters, the output would be 3600 MW. Russia’s Inter RAO EES was in talks with Tajikistan about the Rogun project in 2008, but in the end, nothing came from those negotiations. With no hope of foreign backing, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon started portraying Rogun as a project of national salvation, the key to energy independence. Rahmon’s government called on citizens to help finance construction of the HPP and when public support in the poorest country in Central Asia proved insufficient, citizens were pressured into buying shares in the project. The government in neighboring Uzbekistan objected to Rogun’s construction,...

Import Electricity Rogun HPP Electricity supply Bilateral Cooperation

Kazakhstan to Import Electricity from Tajikistan to Address Energy Shortages

Kazakhstan and Tajikistan have signed an agreement on long-term cooperation in the energy sector. The agreement will remain in effect for 20 years, with the possibility of a 10-year extension. The document aims to strengthen energy security, promote environmentally friendly technologies, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Monitoring and telemetry Under the agreement, Kazakhstan will receive scheduled electricity supplies from Tajikistan, particularly from the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP). These imports are intended to cover planned shortages in the North-South zone of Kazakhstan’s unified power system. The price is set at $0.034 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), including VAT at a zero rate. The agreement also includes the introduction of hourly electricity metering at connection points between Kazakhstan's and Central Asia’s power grids, as well as along the Tajik border. Kazakhstan's system operator, KEGOC JSC, will receive real-time telemetry data from Tajikistan via interstate transmission lines to ensure accurate metering and efficient coordination. Electricity deliveries will follow the routes specified in the purchase agreements. The primary source will be the Rogun HPP, with supplies timed to match Kazakhstan's peak shortage periods. A long-awaited step Energy cooperation between the two countries has been under discussion for some time. In August 2024, former Kazakh Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev held talks on importing electricity from Tajikistan. These discussions also addressed the issue of unscheduled electricity flows between their power grids. By December 2024, plans were already in place to finalize a 20-year agreement. In February 2025, the deal was confirmed during talks between Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu and his Tajik counterpart, Sirojiddin Mukhriddin. “We agree that Tajik-Kazakh energy cooperation has broad prospects. We have agreed that an intergovernmental agreement on electricity will be signed in the very near future,” the Tajik foreign minister said at the time. The potential of the Rogun HPP and prospects for Kazakhstan A key element of the agreement will be the Rogun hydroelectric power plant on the Vakhsh River. Once completed, its dam will reach a height of 335 meters, making it the tallest in the world. The power plant will have a capacity of 3,600 MW, making it the largest power plant in Central Asia. This makes the project strategically important not only for Tajikistan but for the entire region. The official website of the Rogun HPP states that the facility will be the upper stage of the Vakhsh cascade and will play a key role in ensuring sustainable energy supplies. The agreement is expected to not only enable Kazakhstan to stabilize its energy balance during peak loads, but also open up new opportunities for cross-border cooperation. With the growing demand for green energy, the strategic alliance with Tajikistan could become an important element of the country's energy transition. The resolution enters into force on the day of its signing and effectively launches an intergovernmental mechanism capable of strengthening Kazakhstan's energy security for decades to come.

Kyrgyzstan Boosts Energy Capacity with Hydropower Plant Upgrade

On December 30, Kyrgyzstan marked a significant milestone by commissioning the modernized hydroelectric generating unit No. 4 at the Uch-Kurgan Hydropower Plant (HPP). This upgrade is a critical step in addressing the country’s chronic electricity shortages, particularly acute during the harsh winter months. The modernization increased the generating capacity of unit No. 4 by 20%. The project, which began in March 2024, was implemented by the China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC). Work on hydroelectric generating unit No. 3 is scheduled to begin in 2025. Upon completion of the overall modernization project, the operational lifespan of the Uch-Kurgan HPP will be extended by 25–30 years. The Uch-Kurgan HPP, situated on the Naryn River near Shamaldy-Sai in the Jalal-Abad region, plays a vital role in Kyrgyzstan’s energy supply. Its reservoir has a total capacity of 52.5 million cubic meters. Before reconstruction, the plant's total capacity stood at 180 MW, with four hydroelectric units producing 45 MW each. Operating since 1962, the plant had not undergone any major upgrades until now. Kyrgyzstan is actively upgrading its hydropower infrastructure to enhance energy production. On November 19, 2024, the country launched the modernized hydroelectric generating unit No. 1 at the Toktogul HPP, its largest power facility. The upgrade increased the unit’s capacity by 60 MW, raising the Toktogul HPP’s total capacity to 1,260 MW from its previous 1,200 MW. The Toktogul HPP currently provides approximately 40% of Kyrgyzstan's electricity. In addition to modernization projects, Kyrgyzstan is constructing the flagship Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant, which will have a projected capacity of 1,860 MW and an average annual generation of 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours. Upon completion, Kambarata-1 will become the country’s largest hydropower plant and is expected to eliminate Kyrgyzstan's electricity shortages. These developments reflect the country’s commitment to expanding its energy capacity, ensuring sustainable power supplies, and meeting the growing demands of its population and industries.

Kyrgyz Authorities Tighten Control Over Energy Resource Usage

Kyrgyzstan has enacted a new law mandating efficient and rational use of energy resources across all enterprises, both state-owned and private. The law establishes a dedicated government body tasked with inspecting organizations, enterprises, and buildings to ensure compliance with energy efficiency standards, regardless of ownership. This legislation, previously approved by parliament, assigns local state administrations and municipal authorities the responsibility of ensuring energy efficiency in buildings under their jurisdiction. This includes the adoption of highly efficient energy-consuming devices and equipment. The new law also requires authorities to provide consumers with metering devices for electricity, natural gas, and heat energy. These devices are to be installed in facilities where they are currently absent, allowing for more accurate monitoring and management of energy consumption. Kyrgyzstan continues to face an electricity deficit of 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours, exacerbated by economic growth, increased industrial activity, and rising energy demand. Despite ongoing efforts, such as the construction of new hydroelectric power plants and importing electricity from neighboring countries, the shortage persists. This has resulted in rolling blackouts across nearly all regions during winter months. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, these shortages highlight the urgency of implementing measures to conserve energy. President Sadyr Japarov has criticized citizens for their lack of responsibility in conserving natural resources. He expressed optimism that the new law would encourage greater accountability and help reduce electricity and heat consumption. By emphasizing energy efficiency and resource management, Kyrgyzstan aims to address its energy challenges while promoting sustainable development.

Afghanistan Extends Electricity Import Agreement with Uzbekistan Until 2025

Afghanistan’s state-owned power company, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), has extended its electricity import agreement with Uzbekistan through the end of 2025. The agreement was signed in Uzbekistan by Abdul Bari Umar, the Taliban’s acting head of DABS, and representatives from the National Electricity Company of Uzbekistan. This extension is vital for Afghanistan, where unreliable electricity continues to affect millions of people. According to the Ministry of Energy and Water under Taliban control, the country requires 1,500 megawatts of electricity. Of this, approximately 720 megawatts are imported, while the remainder is generated domestically. Afghanistan remains heavily reliant on neighboring countries for power due to its limited domestic production capacity. Residents of Kabul and other regions frequently endure prolonged outages, fueling public frustration over the lack of a consistent power supply. In recent months, DABS reported disruptions in electricity imports from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, leaving many areas without power. The outages were attributed to technical issues on the Uzbek side and storm-related problems in Turkmenistan. Both issues have since been resolved, and electricity transmission to Afghanistan has been restored. The extended agreement with Uzbekistan represents a critical step in addressing Afghanistan’s energy needs, though long-term solutions to bolster domestic electricity production remain essential.

Afghanistan’s Electricity Restored Following Supply Issues from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

The Afghan Power Supply Company, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), recently announced disruptions in electricity imports from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. This has left many regions in darkness and sparked public dissatisfaction over the lack of a reliable power supply. The interruptions stemmed from technical problems on the Uzbek side and hurricane-related issues in Turkmenistan. Uzbek authorities confirmed that they were working to resolve the issue swiftly. On December 15, DABS confirmed that the technical issues had been resolved and normal electricity supply from both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan had been fully restored. Afghanistan relies heavily on electricity imports from neighboring countries, particularly Uzbekistan. In 2023, Uzbekistan extended its contract to export electricity to Afghanistan, underscoring the continued energy partnership between the two nations. In earlier discussions, Afghanistan offered Uzbekistan opportunities to invest in its natural resources, including oil, gas, and copper deposits in the provinces of Ghazni and Herat, along with the potential to establish mineral processing plants.