During a parliamentary session in Kyrgyzstan, Deputy Elvira Surabaldiyeva expressed outrage at the operation of mining farms amid an electricity shortage in the country. It was revealed that these companies are solely using imported electricity from Kazakhstan.
According to Kyrgyz media reports, the Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibraev stated that mining farms are private businesses, and he cannot impede their operations as the companies have allegedly made agreements with Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, the situation was commented on by the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Energy.
In a statement, it was mentioned that an agreement between the water and energy authorities of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on water and energy cooperation had been reached on August 25, 2023. This agreement outlined the supply of electricity from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan from September 2023 to April 2024, totaling up to 1.5 billion kWh.
It was specified that a contract for the sale of planned volumes of export electricity during surplus hours in the Unified Power System of Kazakhstan had been signed between TOO "RFC for RES" (Single Purchaser of Electric Energy) and OJSC "Electric Stations".
The export of electricity was solely for accumulating the required water levels at the Toktogul HPP to ensure necessary volumes of irrigation water for the southern regions of the country in the upcoming growing season. The distribution of electricity within the energy system of the Kyrgyz Republic is solely the internal competence of Kyrgyzstan's energy sector, as summarized by the ministry.
Earlier, Kazakh energy officials stated that electricity consumption by miners in the country is strictly monitored by regulators.
