Published
11/09/2025, 21:59Kyrgyzstan imports electricity at approximately 3 soms per kilowatt-hour (this is the cost price), and sells it to the population at 1 som 37 tyiyn. The difference is currently covered by the ministry. According to estimates, the ministry will fully repay its debt of 25 billion soms next year and will start making a profit by 2027. President Sadyr Zhaparov wrote about this on his social media page.
The president wrote that the so-called unlimited tariff was introduced three years ago with the aim of at least partially compensating for the difference between the price of imported electricity and the price at which it was sold to the population. But in the current conditions, the volume of water in the reservoirs is 2 billion cubic meters less than last year. Therefore, connection to the unlimited tariff has been temporarily suspended.
«When I saw this report in the media, I immediately called the minister, expressed my strong dissatisfaction, and instructed him to stop such actions and ensure equal access to electricity for citizens. As a result, the CEO of NESK and his deputy for commercial affairs were reprimanded, and the head of the electricity sales department was dismissed from his position,the president wrote.
He explained that by 2020, the energy sector's debt amounted to 137 billion soms. Kyrgyzstan's energy system was on the verge of disaster. The situation was particularly dire at the joint-stock companies Vostoelektro and Zhalalabatelektro, whose external and internal debts were growing daily, and which paid their workers' salaries by borrowing money from commercial banks. The generators were outdated, and the equipment had not been updated since the 1960s. Virtually no new hydroelectric power plants were built. It was not until 2009 that the first generator of the Kambarata HPP-2 was commissioned.
«Since we gained independence, we have faced electricity shortages every winter. Of course, to cover the shortfall, we purchased electricity from abroad. There were times when one kilowatt-hour cost us 5 soms. I learned about this when I came to power and began to carry out reforms in the energy sector, eliminating corruption and theft in this system. The energy purchased at 5 soms was sold to the population at a price of 0.77 tyyn per kilowatt-hour. The difference of 4 soms 23 tyyn was a heavy burden on the energy system, accumulating in the form of debt. Since 2020, we have managed to reduce the total debt from 137 billion to 25 billion soms. From 2027, our energy system will start to make a profit for the first time in history. This is a great achievement for our state and our independence», — wrote Sadyr Zhaparov.
At the moment, the water level in the Toktogul reservoir is 2 billion cubic meters lower than last year. Therefore, in order to maintain the water level and eliminate the electricity deficit, the country is forced to import large quantities.
«Today, we are calling on citizens to save energy in order to reduce the volume of imports. In this regard, government agencies have already been instructed to completely turn off lighting and electrical appliances in buildings after 6 p.m. There is enough electricity in the world — it can be imported without restrictions. But every extra kilowatt-hour costs the budget additional expenses. Every 100-watt light bulb that burns continuously for an hour ‘takes’ about 270 liters of water from the Toktogul Reservoir», — added the head of state.
In addition, Sadyr Zhaprov noted that for the third year in a row, hydroelectric power plants, as well as solar and wind power plants, are being built on a massive scale in the country.
In the near future, a solar power plant will be launched for the first time in the history of our country.
«The current energy shortage is only a temporary problem. If we had not built schools, kindergartens, residential buildings, plants, and factories, the deficit that has accumulated over many years would have long been covered by the hydroelectric power plants that have been put into operation, and we would be living peacefully. The reason I say that in two and a half years we will cover the winter electricity deficit is that about a hundred small and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants are being built across the country. All of them will be completed. In addition, construction has begun in Kara-Keche on a 1,200 MW thermal power plant, which will have an annual production capacity of up to 7 billion kWh. It is planned to be commissioned in two and a half years. Once construction is complete, the winter electricity shortage will be completely eliminated», — concluded Sadyr Zhaparov.
