A preliminary estimate of the damage caused by the accident at the Bishkek Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP) amounts to 69.63 million soms. This information was revealed today during a press conference.
According to Bakyit Torobaev, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, the interdepartmental commission investigating the causes of the accident at the capital's thermal power plant has completed its work. The technical cause of the accident has been identified.
On February 1st, 11 boiler units and 7 turbo units were operational at the Bishkek CHP, generating 435 megawatts of power. Following instructions from the shift supervisor, boiler unit No. 18 was shut down at 22:57 without coordination with the central dispatch service. On February 2nd at 02:45, the order was given to restart boiler No. 18, leading to a sudden drop in pressure and subsequent explosion.
As a result of the accident, the old block of the CHP was disconnected, causing a drop in the hot water temperature from 70 to 30-40 degrees Celsius. To prevent the heating system from freezing, hot water supply has been disconnected in some small districts, and recirculation has been initiated.
Recovery work on the main and auxiliary equipment of the power plant began on the same day from a technical standpoint, with some work still ongoing. Currently, the CHP is operating normally, maintaining the specified load and temperature. Following the commission's findings, the Minister of Energy received a reprimand, the deputy minister received a severe reprimand, and disciplinary measures were imposed on responsible employees of the energy company.
On the night of February 2nd, an accident occurred at the capital's heat plant, resulting in five injuries. Three individuals were hospitalized, while two received outpatient treatment. Schools and kindergartens in Bishkek switched to online learning during the incident. Full heating and hot water supply in the city were restored on February 7th, with the completion of the liquidation works at the site reported on February 9th by the republican headquarters.
