BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 27. Kyrgyzstan imported 3.4 billion kWh of electricity in 2023, the country’s Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev said during a meeting reviewing the performance of energy companies and institutions in Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports.
During the meeting, the minister also shared insights into major energy projects initiated in Kyrgyzstan in 2023. Notably, preparatory work for the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant (HPP) commenced last year, and construction is currently underway at full speed.
To support the technical and economic justification of this project, a funding allocation of $5 million from the World Bank (WB) was approved. The Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan is actively preparing for the construction of the Kambarata HPP-1, with efforts focused on selecting a consultant.
Ibraev mentioned that, due to the necessity of expanding the road leading to the main Kambarata HPP-1 facilities, significant blasting operations were carried out at the altered riverbed location. Construction of new roads to the HPP construction site has also been completed.
Meanwhile, a state of emergency has been declared in the energy sector of Kyrgyzstan for a period of three years, starting on August 1, 2023. The objective is to take immediate measures to increase energy capacity and ensure electricity exports by 2027.
According to the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the country imported 3.444 billion kWh of electricity from January through November 2023, which is a 23.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022