Kyrgyzstan will remain dependent on electricity imports in 2026 to cover its domestic deficit, Deputy Energy Minister Altynbek Rysbekov announced at a meeting of the Parliament's Committee on Industrial Policy, Transport, Fuel and Energy Complex, Architecture, and Construction. This situation is due to the gap between domestic generation capacity and growing demand from households and industry, 24.kg reports.
According to official data from the ministry, Kyrgyzstan's annual electricity generation is 14.5 billion kilowatt-hours, while the deficit reaches 4.5 billion kilowatt-hours. In 2025, this gap was covered by supplies from neighboring countries, totaling 4.3 billion kilowatt-hours. The Deputy Minister emphasized that the discrepancy between the high cost of imports and the low social tariff for citizens creates a significant financial burden on the National Electric Grid of Kyrgyzstan (NESK).
The challenging situation in the energy sector is confirmed by a number of factors:
Dependence on water resources: the bulk of generation comes from hydroelectric power plants, making the country vulnerable during periods of low water levels and low water levels in the Toktogul Reservoir.
Infrastructure deterioration: technical losses in the grid remain high due to aging equipment, much of which is over 40 years old.
Growth in energy consumption: annual demand growth outpaces the introduction of new generating capacity.
As an immediate measure, the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan is focusing on the development of renewable energy sources (RES). According to Rysbekov, the construction of solar and wind power plants takes up to two years, allowing for their faster commissioning compared to large hydropower projects. In 2026, authorities will continue to attract investors to the renewable energy sector, offering preferential terms for projects that could reduce the volume of energy purchased abroad in the future.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
January 20, 2026