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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.

Kambarata Energy Economy HPP hydroelectric Energy Security

How Kyrgyz Authorities Are Fighting Energy Shortages

Despite the launch of the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydroelectric power plant, Kyrgyzstan needs more electricity. One solution could be to launch small hydropower plants. Officials said building such plants on the country's numerous rivers is not costly. According to the Kyrgyz Energy Ministry, commissioning such HPPs could take only 1.5-2 years. There are currently 24 small hydropower plants in operation in the country, and there is potential for more than 80 more. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, Kyrgyz Deputy Energy Minister Nurlan Sadykov said that every citizen has the opportunity to build a small hydropower plant. Startup permits can be obtained quite easily. “We have a Green Energy Fund, which is authorized to issue land for small-scale energy needs, including the construction of solar panels and wind farms. This body holds a competition where anyone can participate equally, whether a Kyrgyz citizen or a foreign investor. The main thing is to confirm your financial capabilities,” Sadykov said. Sadykov said most investors borrow from local or international banks in one way or another. The authorities can guarantee the return of invested funds through electricity tariffs. “A presidential decree has been issued. According to the document, the state is guaranteed to buy electricity. If the investor wants to receive money for generated electricity in foreign currency, the state can provide payments in US dollars,” the deputy minister emphasized. Chinese and Russian companies are interested in building renewable energy sources in Kyrgyzstan. A campaign to raise funds from local businessmen is also underway. It is worth noting that Kyrgyzstan is experiencing an increase in electricity consumption. The country produces about 14 billion kilowatt-hours annually, but consumption, especially in winter, can reach 17 billion kilowatt-hours. To compensate for the missing electricity, the authorities import it from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Energy Atomic Energy public opinion Nuclear Referendum Nuclear Energy

Observers From 30 Countries Will Follow the Referendum on NPP in Kazakhstan

The secretary of the Central Referendum Commission, Mukhtar Erman, has announced that 177 international observers will monitor the referendum on constructing a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan. Erman specified that observers represent 30 countries and four international organizations. Major international organizations invited by Kazakhstan include the OSCE, SCO, CIS, and Organization of Turkic States; however, the OSCE will not participate due to its high workload. Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko added that 200 foreign journalists from 37 countries, including international media representatives, will work on the day of the referendum. According to Vassilenko, this will ensure transparency and objectivity. The idea of holding the referendum, which will be held on October 6, 2024, emerged against the backdrop of regular problems with energy supply and the need to modernize infrastructure. An active debate has characterized the build-up to the referendum, a project supported by the authorities as a solution to combat energy shortages and carbon dioxide emissions, whilst some quarters of the population remain concerned about environmental risks and Kazakhstan's historical connection to nuclear testing.

Electricity supply HPP Energy Security Power generation Energy

Despite High Water Levels in Kyrgyzstan’s Toktogul Reservoir, Electricity Shortages Persist

Despite an increase in water levels at Kyrgyzstan’s Toktogul hydroelectric power plant (HPP) reservoir this year, the country continues to face electricity shortages, Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev said in an interview with Birinchi Radio. Located on the Naryn River, the Toktogul HPP is Kyrgyzstan’s largest power plant, providing around 40% of the country’s electricity. As of October 1, 2024, the water volume in the Toktogul reservoir reached 13.033 billion cubic meters, approximately 1.3 billion cubic meters more than the previous year. The reservoir currently receives 365 cubic meters of water per second while releasing 284 cubic meters per second for power generation. "Despite the increased water levels in 2024, we are still facing an electricity deficit of about 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours," Minister Ibrayev stated. To address the deficit, Kyrgyzstan is working to expand its energy capacity by building small and large hydroelectric plants. "In the past, small hydroelectric plants produced around 200-300 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This figure has now increased to 750 million kilowatt-hours," Ibrayev explained. He also noted that the country’s electricity consumption has risen by 400 million kilowatt-hours this year, driven by the launch of new industrial enterprises. According to the National Statistics Committee, Kyrgyzstan generated 13.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2023, with hydropower plants accounting for approximately 87% of total electricity production. In 2023, Kyrgyzstan met 80% of its electricity demand, which totalled 17.2 billion kilowatt-hours. The remaining 20%, or 3.4 billion kilowatt-hours, was imported. To help reduce reliance on imports, an agreement was signed between Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan in May 2023 for the supply of 1.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity from Turkmenistan, starting on January 1, 2025.

HPP Rogun HPP World Bank Banking Energy Finance

Tajikistan Raises Over a Billion Dollars More for Rogun Hydropower Plant

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, speaking at a meeting with the constructors of the Rogun hydropower plant, said that negotiations with the World Bank for a $650 million grant -- and with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank for a $500 million loan -- are in their final stages. Earlier, agreements on preferential lending were signed with the Islamic Development Bank for $150 million and the Saudi Fund for Development for $100 million. In addition, Arab development funds, such as the OPEC Fund, Kuwait Fund, and Abu Dhabi Fund, have already decided to allocate an additional $100 million. Negotiations are underway with the Asian Development Bank and the European Investment Bank to attract grants and preferential loans. Rahmon noted that from 2008 to 2024, more than 42.5 billion somoni (about $3.8 billion) from the state budget and other sources were allocated to construct the hydropower plant. He emphasized that Rogun is a crucial facility that ensures the country's energy independence and economic development. According to him, 7.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity have been produced since the launch of the first two units in 2018. More than 17,000 workers and engineers are currently employed in the plant's construction, and their number continues to grow. Rahmon also noted the need for strict adherence to the work schedule. The installation of the next hydro unit is planned for the fall of 2026. The Rogun hydropower plant is located 110 kilometers east of Dushanbe, and is one of Central Asia's largest and most strategically important hydropower projects. Once completed, it will be the highest dam in the world, at 335 meters. Construction of the project began in 1976 but was suspended after the collapse of the USSR. Work resumed in 2016, and two turbines are producing electricity. In the future, the hydropower plant will have six turbines with a total capacity of 3,600 MW. Once completed, it will generate 17.1 TWh of electricity per year. The project also addresses water supply issues; the reservoir will irrigate 300,000 hectares of land and reduce sedimentation at the downstream Nurek HPP. Part of the energy is planned to be exported to neighboring countries.

Energy China Solar Energy Green Energy Renewable Energy Generation

China to Construct Solar Plant in Uzbekistan

The Chinese company China Datang is building a solar photovoltaic power plant in the Boka district of Tashkent region. Construction began on September 21. The 263-megawatt project is expected to cost $150 million to complete, and use 621 hectares of land. It was previously reported that China will invest 1 billion dollars in an enterprise processing the hides and organs of domestic animals in the Andijan region of Uzbekistan. In June this year, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution “International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations,” developed by the China and Uzbekistan. The resolution's primary goal is to raise awareness about the value of civilizations' diversity and to develop communication, mutual respect, and global solidarity.