By an order dated August 1, 2023 Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov declared the emergency situation in the energy sector, which will last until December 31, 2026.

CABAR.asia reports that since late February 2024, when the frost grew stronger, Kyrgyzstanis residing in various regions of the country started complaining about widespread power cuts for 1.5-2 hours a day.  It reportedly happened without formal warnings or schedules.  

Deputy Minister of Energy Taalaibek Baigaziyev said only at the press conference on March 4 that some automation regulation works could take place in some districts.

According to him, the population does not want to heat their homes with coal and other alternative sources, many use electricity for heating and the daily consumption has increased up to 69-70 million kilowatts per hour (kWh) and virtually does not decrease.

Due to high load, the system load reduction automation comes into action at evening peak hours.

The Ministry of Energy says that since March 5 the power consumption limits have been decreased for users with ‘smart’ single-phase meters from 5 to 4 kilowatts, and for users with three-phase meters – from 10 to 8 kilowatts.

The issue of restrictions was raised at the parliament session on March 6.  MP Elvira Surabaldiyeva stood up for schoolchildren and women, who do not feel safe when they come from classes along dark streets. She asked the Minister of Energy Taalbek Ibrayev, why cryptocurrency mining companies continue to work in the country even during the shortage of electricity in the country.

First, Taalaibek Ibrayev said that only one cryptocurrency mining company works officially in Kyrgyzstan. But MP Marat Murataliyev said that there is information on the internet about 22 companies that work and pay taxes.

However, according to the Minister of Energy, cryptocurrency mining companies did not receive any kilowatt of energy from Kyrgyzstan.

“They make agreements with Kazakhstan, pay us for transit, and it’s up to them where they get it from. Cryptocurrency mining companies are private businesses and we cannot prohibit their activities,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy proposes to increase electricity rates on May 1, 2024.  The tariff policy provides for adjustment of electricity rate for all groups of users according to the actual inflation rate in the previous year.  The increase is expected by 10.8 percent.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the number of users is increasing, 30,000 new users, on average, are being added every year.  It requires additional capacity.

In 2010, the electric power consumption in the country was over 10.3 billion kilowatt hours (kWh), and in 2023 it increased up to 16.5 billion kWh.