President Sadyr Japarov recently discussed the current energy crisis in Kyrgyzstan and the power outages that have been occurring. He explained the reasons behind the electricity restrictions, focusing on the aging infrastructure of the Toktogul and Uch-Korgon hydropower plants.
Japarov highlighted that the first unit of the Toktogul hydropower plant, in operation since 1975, had never undergone major repairs, surpassing its 30-year warranty period by 20 years. To address this, the unit is undergoing reconstruction to add 60 megawatts of power once completed. The second and fourth units were recently repaired, with plans to repair the third unit next year, extending the plant's lifespan by 40-50 years and adding 240 megawatts of energy.
Regarding the Uch-Korgon hydropower plant, which has not been repaired since its commissioning in 1962, Japarov emphasized the need for its modernization. The fourth unit of the plant was halted for reconstruction from March 5, leading to a temporary reduction of 290 megawatt-hours in the power supply, necessitating temporary energy usage restrictions during peak hours.
Japarov underlined the importance of these repairs in preparation for the upcoming winter season and stressed the growing energy demand in Kyrgyzstan due to population growth and infrastructure development. He expressed regret over the country's reliance on imported electricity and highlighted the recent efforts to construct over 50 small and medium hydropower plants, with plans to commission more by 2026.
Additionally, Japarov announced the upcoming launch of the 25-megawatt Bala-Saruu hydropower plant by the end of March, aimed at providing electricity to the Talas region. The president's proactive approach to addressing the energy challenges reflects the government's commitment to enhancing the country's energy independence and sustainability.
