He stated that the Cabinet is not planning large-scale rolling blackouts this coming winter and expects the autumn-winter period to proceed as normal. The final situation, however, depends on the weather and electricity consumption levels.

Why Bishkek and Chui region were left without power

Commenting on the recent large-scale outages, Daniyar Amangeldiev stated that calling what happened a blackout is incorrect.

«A blackout is when the entire energy system suddenly collapses. Today, the problem has arisen in the north of the country, in Bishkek and Chui region, due to sharply increased consumption,» he said.

According to the First Deputy Cabinet Chairman, Kyrgyzstan’s energy system was designed for a completely different consumption structure. Previously, industry consumed approximately 70 percent of electricity, and households consumed only 30 percent.

Since the 2000s, the situation has changed: now households consume approximately 70 percent of electricity, while industry’s share has decreased to 30 percent. Daniyar Amangeldiev

Since the 2000s, the situation has changed: now households consume approximately 70 percent of electricity, while industry’s share has decreased to 30 percent.

«Previously, the population didn’t have widespread access to three-phase power or the ability to increase capacity. Each household consumed approximately 10 kilowatts, and the rest was covered by coal and gas. After the 2000s, the consumption structure changed dramatically,» Daniyar Amangeldiev noted.

At the same time, the number of houses and the actual population of the capital increased significantly.

According to him, Bishkek was historically designed for approximately 800,000 residents, but today the city and its surrounding areas may be home to around 2.5 million people.

The authorities arrived at this estimate, in part, based on the volume and composition of waste received at the waste processing plant.

«Based on the morphology and volume of waste, the actual population can be calculated. Not by the number of registered residents, but by the actual activities of people. Analysis shows that today the population of Bishkek and its surrounding areas is approximately 2.5 million people. Plus the Chui region,» the First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet said.

An additional cause of overload was the abnormal heat wave. According to Daniyar Amangeldiev, as temperatures rise, the capacity of power lines decreases.

At the same time, residents are turning on air conditioners and other cooling equipment en masse, which further increases the load.

Previously, peak consumption occurred primarily in winter, when residents used electric heaters. In the summer, the power grid could accumulate moisture in reservoirs and prepare for winter.

«Now the situation is similar in the summer. Additional electrical appliances include air conditioners and other equipment that create a load. But this is certainly not an excuse. The system must be ready,» he emphasized.

Daniyar Amangeldiev stated that significant financial resources are being channeled into the energy sector, but additional funds are needed for further modernization of networks, substations, and generating facilities.

Therefore, the Cabinet has chosen a policy of gradual tariff increases.

«If we maintain the current pricing policy, our power grid will not survive. It cannot be permanently subsidized. Energy sector should become one of the flagship revenue-generating industries,» he said.

Moreover, according to the official, tariff increases should take place gradually and take into account the improving well-being of the population.

The state has assumed energy company debts

The First Deputy Cabinet Chairman recalled that in 2020, the state began reforming the energy sector.

Specifically, the debts of energy companies were written off or transferred to the state. This was done to develop enterprises, attract financing, and modernize infrastructure.

According to Daniyar Amangeldiev, a significant number of substations and power lines have been renovated in recent years.

Additional substations will be built in Bishkek

To improve the reliability of power supply to the capital and Chui region, it was decided to build additional substations «Bishkek» and «Frunzenskaya.» They should provide additional electricity transit and increase the system’s resilience during overloads.

The Ministry of Energy has been instructed to analyze all networks and substations, identify the most vulnerable sections, and organize repairs.

What power plants are planned to be built

According to Daniyar Amangeldiev, alternative sources alone cannot solve the energy problem. Kyrgyzstan needs large power plants that can significantly increase its own generation capacity.

The projects planned by the Cabinet of Ministers include the Kara-Keche thermal power plant, the Chaldovar power plant, and a large hydroelectric power plant on Kokomeren river.

The project’s estimated capacity on Kokomeren could reach 1,200–1,300 megawatts, while the Chaldovar power plant’s capacity could reach approximately 500 megawatts.

According to the First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, funding sources for these projects have been identified. Funds are allocated from the national budget and under the state borrowing program.

He emphasized that energy projects are self-sustaining. If Kyrgyzstan does not build its own generation, the state will have to spend money on imported electricity.

When will the energy deficit be reduced?

«I think we will have additional capacity by 2027–2028. We will cover part of the deficit. But that does not mean the energy crisis will be over. New generating capacity must be added on a continuous basis,» he said.

According to him, generation growth must outpace economic growth by at least 2-3 percent. Otherwise, new businesses, construction projects, and households will consume all the additional electricity generated.

Plans for generating capacity development are included in the National Development Program until 2030.

Why Kyrgyzstan continues to import electricity

The First Deputy Cabinet Chairman acknowledged that Kyrgyzstan, despite its significant water resources, is currently forced to cover its domestic deficit by importing electricity.

To increase its own generation, the state previously abolished the state monopoly in this sector. Now, private investors are being attracted to the construction of power plants, and public-private partnership projects are being implemented.

«If we don’t build our own generation, we’ll have to buy electricity from outside, compensating for the deficit,» Daniyar Amangeldiev noted.

Will there be rolling blackouts this winter?

«We are not planning rolling blackouts. Everything will depend on climate conditions and the winter,» he said.

According to him, the Cabinet of Ministers has already begun preparing for the fall-winter period. At meetings, coal and fuel oil supplies, fuel supplies for social facilities, repayment of accounts receivable, and measures to reduce the load on the power grid are discussed.

«We are in no way planning to introduce any restrictions. We are currently actively monitoring substations and repairing networks. We are not planning any large-scale rolling blackouts. I believe we will get through the autumn and winter season under normal operating conditions,» Daniyar Amangeldiev concluded.