Kyrgyzstan - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Move Closer to Electricity Exports to South Asia

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have officially launched the 500 kV Datka-Sughd overhead power transmission line, a key component of the CASA-1000 (Central Asia-South Asia) electricity transmission project. The initiative is designed to export surplus summer electricity from the two Central Asian countries to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The 485-kilometer line, which connects the Datka substation in Kyrgyzstan with the Sughd substation in Tajikistan, was inaugurated on March 31 during Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov’s visit to the Tajik city of Khujand. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon also attended the ceremony. The new line enables bidirectional power flows, significantly enhancing the resilience and stability of Central Asia’s power grid. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy, both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have completed their respective infrastructure components of the CASA-1000 project. Project Progress and Timeline In Pakistan, construction is expected to be completed by August 2025. In Afghanistan, where work had stalled, construction has now resumed. Over 95% of the necessary materials have already been delivered to the country. Full completion of the Afghan section and the start of commercial operations are expected in 2027. The CASA-1000 project, with a total cost exceeding $1.2 billion, is financed by the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Islamic Development Bank, and other international partners. The Kyrgyz and Tajik sections alone accounted for approximately $544 million, or 45.3% of the total project budget. Once fully operational, CASA-1000 will have the capacity to transmit up to 11 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Economic and Regional Impact Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are expected to jointly export up to 5 billion kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually to Pakistan, roughly 5% of Pakistan’s total electricity consumption. The projected revenue from these exports is over $250 million per year for the two countries. The successful implementation of CASA-1000 not only promises economic benefits for Central Asia but also marks a significant step in regional energy cooperation, renewable energy deployment, and cross-border infrastructure integration.

Kyrgyzstan’s Gold Reserves Could Last a Century, Says Top Geologist

Kyrgyzstan’s largest gold mining operation, Kumtor Gold Company, has identified an additional 147 tons of gold through recent geological exploration. These reserves have now been officially added to the balance sheet of the state-run enterprise, reinforcing expert forecasts that gold extraction in the country can continue for decades to come. The announcement was made by Minister of Natural Resources Meder Mashiev during a press briefing in Bishkek. Mashiev noted that previously unexploited reserves at Kumtor, a key contributor to the national budget, were estimated at 127 tons. Following the new exploration, total reserves now stand at 261 tons. Kumtor Gold Company was nationalized in 2022 after Canadian firm Centerra Gold withdrew from the project. At the time, industry experts predicted the mine would cease operations by 2027 due to depleted reserves at the main open pit. The prospect of investing in new infrastructure at adjacent sites was deemed economically unfeasible. This view was partly supported by production data: in 2015, ore yielded about 5 grams of gold per ton; today, it yields less than one gram. Local experts, however, have described this decline as temporary. According to official figures, Kumtor produced 17.3 tons of gold in 2022, 13.5 tons in 2023, and was projected to produce 12.2 tons in 2024, numbers not seen since 2012, when output fell below 10 tons. Back then, the company cited falling global gold prices and the limited viability of high-volume production. Under the 2022 agreement with Centerra Gold, the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers assumed full management of the Kumtor mine. The Canadian company also agreed to pay over $60 million for environmental protection and transferred control of a $53 million reclamation fund to the Kyrgyz side. In return, it was released from future mine reclamation obligations. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, Rozalia Djenchuraeva, a geologist at the National Academy of Sciences, stated that with proper management, Kumtor could continue producing gold for another hundred years. “Gold is not running out. There’s still a substantial amount at Kumtor. In the 1980s and 1990s, we recalculated potential reserves in the area and identified over a thousand tons,” Djenchuraeva said. “The entire strip where Kumtor is located is gold-bearing. It stretches along the mountains beneath glaciers, and we have enough gold to last a century. The key is to avoid harming nature.” She emphasized that much of the remaining gold lies beneath glaciers, making extraction without environmental damage particularly challenging. “The high-altitude ecosystem is very sensitive to human interference,” she said. Nonetheless, Djenchuraeva believes that modern exploration and mining technologies offer a path forward. “If we proceed responsibly and with care, gold extraction can continue for many years to come,” she concluded.

Two Earthquakes Strike Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Causing Damage in Talas Region

Two earthquakes struck Central Asia early on March 28, affecting parts of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The first tremor, with a magnitude of 5.5, occurred in southern Kazakhstan, approximately 133 kilometers from Bishkek. The Kyrgyz capital felt the tremors at 4:42 a.m., according to the Institute of Seismology at the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan. The quake registered a strength of four points in Bishkek and reached up to five points in parts of Kyrgyzstan’s Talas Region, which borders Kazakhstan. A second, less powerful earthquake was recorded at 7:00 a.m. on the Chatkal Ridge in southwestern Kyrgyzstan. It registered a magnitude of 3.5. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergency Situations, five residential buildings and one educational institution sustained damage in the Talas Region following the first quake. An operational team has been dispatched to assess the extent of the damage. “A state of emergency has been declared in connection with the earthquake recorded in Kazakhstan on March 28. An emergency meeting was held at 5 a.m. at the central office of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Crisis Management Center of Kyrgyzstan. First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Azamat Mambetov instructed officials to maintain a high alert regime,” the ministry's press service reported. No casualties have been reported. Authorities have stated that the situation remains under control. Kyrgyzstan’s Crisis Management Center is in direct communication with its counterpart in Kazakhstan, with both agencies exchanging real-time updates. Two major earthquakes were also recorded on March 28 in Southeast Asia. Seismologists from China and the United States reported tremors affecting Myanmar and Thailand. In Myanmar, the first quake registered a magnitude of 7.9 (with other sources citing 7.7), followed by a second at 6.4. The tremors were also felt in Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Laos, and China.

Kyrgyzstan Turns to Alternative Energy to Address Power Deficit

Expanding the use of alternative energy sources is key to overcoming Kyrgyzstan’s persistent electricity shortages, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Bakyt Torobayev said during a meeting at the Ministry of Energy on March 27. Torobayev acknowledged the country’s chronic power deficit and underscored the need for investment in renewable energy development. “Increasing power generation is today’s top priority,” he stated. In response to the ongoing energy crisis, the Kyrgyz government declared a state of emergency in the energy sector from August 1, 2023, to December 31, 2026. The move was intended to accelerate emergency measures to counter the impacts of climate change, reduced water flows in the Naryn River, a major source of hydropower, rising energy demand, and limited generating capacity. Power Imports Fill the Gap Although Kyrgyzstan has the potential to generate 142 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, current production stands at just 14 billion kWh, approximately 10% of its hydropower capacity. According to Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev, the country currently generates 3,450 megawatts of electricity, while demand has risen to 3,600 megawatts. In 2024, Kyrgyzstan consumed 18.3 billion kWh, an increase of 1.1 billion kWh over the previous year. Hydropower plants accounted for 12.77 billion kWh, while coal-fired thermal plants produced 1.76 billion kWh. Small private hydropower plants added 156.2 million kWh, and solar installations contributed 0.17 million kWh. To close the gap, Kyrgyzstan imported 3.63 billion kWh of electricity in 2024, an increase of 141.7 million kWh from 2023. Expanding Generation Capacity To alleviate the crisis, the government has launched several major hydropower construction projects. The Ministry of Energy announced ongoing work to install a second hydroelectric unit at the Kambarata-2 Hydropower Plant (HPP). The plant is designed for three units with a combined capacity of 360 megawatts (120 MW each). Currently, only the first unit is operational. The addition of the second unit will significantly enhance the plant’s output. Meanwhile, construction has also begun on the much larger Kambarata-1 HPP on the Naryn River. When completed, it will become Kyrgyzstan’s largest hydropower facility, with a projected capacity of 1,860 megawatts and an expected annual output of 5.6 billion kWh, enough to substantially address the country’s energy shortfall. Embracing Solar and Wind As part of its energy diversification strategy, Kyrgyzstan has also initiated solar and wind energy projects. In 2024, the country began building a 400-megawatt solar power plant and a 100-megawatt wind farm, marking significant steps toward reducing reliance on imported electricity and fossil fuels.

New UNEP Atlas Highlights Kyrgyzstan’s Climate Vulnerability

Amid intensifying climate impacts, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released its Atlas of Environmental Change for Kyrgyzstan on March 26, offering a comprehensive assessment of the country's growing environmental risks and response strategies. Warming at Twice the Global Rate According to the Atlas, average annual temperatures in Kyrgyzstan have increased by 1.2°C between 1960 and 2023, double the global average of 0.6°C. This accelerated warming has exacerbated water scarcity and the likelihood of natural disasters, a trend expected to intensify in the coming decades. While water availability declines, demand continues to rise, particularly in agriculture. The report stresses the urgent need for robust climate adaptation measures, including reducing irrigation losses, upgrading early warning systems, and improving pasture management. Currently, an estimated 70% of Kyrgyzstan’s pastures are degraded. Declining Water Resources Hydropower accounts for up to 93% of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity generation. But as the climate shifts, rainfall patterns, snow cover, and glaciers are changing, threatening the water inflows that power these systems. Water flow into the Toktogul Reservoir, which feeds the country’s largest hydroelectric plant, could decrease by as much as 18.8% by 2050. This poses a serious threat not only to energy security but also to regional cooperation, as Kyrgyzstan lies upstream of many major Central Asian rivers. The report underscores the importance of transboundary water management. Disasters on the Rise Natural disasters are also becoming more frequent and severe. On average, Kyrgyzstan experiences around 200 emergencies per year, 90% of which are linked to natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, mudslides, rockfalls, and avalanches. In 2022 alone, nearly 150 lives were lost to natural disasters. Between 2012 and 2018, the average annual economic loss from such events reached $27 million. Conservation Achievements Despite the mounting risks, the Atlas also highlights Kyrgyzstan’s environmental progress. Forest cover has increased from 6.2% in 2000 to 6.9% in 2023, a significant feat given the country's mountainous terrain. Protected areas have expanded from 0.5 million hectares in 2000 to 1.5 million hectares, with plans to increase this to 10% of national territory by 2040, safeguarding up to 65% of species listed on the IUCN Red List. All forests in Kyrgyzstan are protected from commercial logging. Notably, the creation of the Khan Teniri Nature Park has expanded snow leopard habitat in the Central Tien Shan mountains by 40%. A Tool for Climate Policy The UNEP Atlas offers Kyrgyz policymakers a vital evidence base for sustainable environmental management and climate adaptation. It is designed to guide future strategies as the country faces mounting ecological and socio-economic pressures.

Kyrgyzstan Begins Domestic Printing of National Currency Banknotes

For the first time since gaining independence, Kyrgyzstan has begun printing its national currency, the som, within the country. Previously, Kyrgyz banknotes were produced in various European countries. The new notes are produced by the Bishkek-based Open Joint Stock Company Uchkun. Starting with Small Denominations Chairman of the National Bank Melis Turgunbayev announced that production has begun with small-denomination bills. This approach will enable a quicker replacement of worn or damaged notes scheduled for withdrawal from circulation. Turgunbayev stressed that the new banknotes adhere to the highest international standards for counterfeit protection. A Modernized National Printing Facility Uchkun has recently undergone a major modernization effort, acquiring state-of-the-art printing equipment. In addition to currency, the facility now produces passports, excise stamps, and educational materials. According to Uchkun's Director Bakytbek Sultanov, the enterprise has already begun printing passports and excise stamps. He stated that in his opinion the security features of Kyrgyz passports rank among the top ten globally for protection against counterfeiting. In 2024 alone, Uchkun produced over 770,000 passports and nearly one million books, marking a significant step forward in Kyrgyzstan’s self-reliance in secure printing technologies.