IEA (2020), Kyrgyzstan energy profile, IEA, Paris https://, Licence: CC BY 4.0 Contact online >>
IEA (2020), Kyrgyzstan energy profile, IEA, Paris https://, Licence: CC BY 4.0
Kyrgyzstan has considerable untapped renewable energy potential. Existing renewable energy consists of large HPPs, which account for 30% of total energy supply, but only 10% of hydropower potential has been developed. Opportunities to develop decentralised renewable energy technologies are especially promising, primarily small hydropower stations on rivers in the mountains. In 2016, there was approximately 40MW of small hydro capacity.
Other viable options for renewable energy development in Kyrgyzstan include generating heat from solar energy and biogas, and electricity from wind and solar resources; no projects so far exploit these technologies.
The National Energy Program and the Strategy for Fuel and Energy Sector Development (covering 2010‑25) are the key policies for sustainable energy development. The rapid expansion of renewables, especially hydro, is a priority for energy sector development, and the Strategy supports the construction of approximately 100 small hydroelectric plants with total capacity of 180MW.
Developing small HPPs is one of the Kyrgyz government''s top priorities because it is hoped that increased indigenous energy production will reduce fuel import reliance as well as emissions.
Kyrgyzstan''s geographic location and climatic conditions are quite favourable for the broader development of solar energy, evident in solar radiation maps. Annual specific power generation by photoelectrical equipment has a potential 300kilowatt hours per square metre (kWh/m2), and annual specific productivity of solar hot water supply could be up to 750kWh/m2 (heat). These figures assume the availability of increasingly inexpensive photoelectrical converters, modules and flat solar collectors, as well as the necessary scientific-technical capacity.
Kyrgyzstan has more than 30 geothermal sources, but only some of them are used, and then only in sanatoriums and resorts (e.g. Issyk-Ata and Teplye Klyuchi) due to their low capacity. One method of using low-capacity geothermal energy involves collecting scattered low-temperature (5°C to 10°C) natural heat or industrial waste heat through heat pumps for heat supply. However, heat pumps are not widely used in Kyrgyzstan for several reasons, such as low electricity tariffs, lack of consumer knowledge on modern residential heat supply technologies, and a lack of specialised installation companies.
The main barriers to using biomass are its high cost and low conversion efficiency compared with fossil fuels, underdeveloped supply logistics, and risks associated with intensification of agriculture. Biomass capacity includes agriculture (livestock and plants), the food industry and solid domestic waste. Forestry waste, wastewater treatment systems, wood processing and the paper industry are not included because quantities are negligible.
The economic and productive capacity of biomass from livestock, plant material and the food industry relies heavily on the productivity of processing equipment and quantities provided by farms.
There are currently no waste-to-energy projects or initiatives. Municipalities of large cities have been considering building plants for converting non-recyclable waste materials into electricity and heat, but no plans have yet been fully developed or implemented.
Both energy supply and demand offer many opportunities for efficiency improvements in Kyrgyzstan. Infrastructure is aged, worn and highly inefficient with losses above 20%. Residential and commercial building stock was constructed during the Soviet era with few efficiency standards. Energy savings potential in buildings is estimated at a minimum of 15%, while modernisation and rehabilitation in the energy system could yield 25% savings.
The Law on Energy Savings is the main legislation related to energy efficiency. In March 2013, a Law on Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency in Buildings was adopted, and a State Programme on Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency Policy Planning for 2015-2017 was approved in August 2015.
The State Committee on Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use is tasked with developing incentives for energy efficiency, energy saving and the use of renewable energy sources, as well as creating conditions for introducing and using renewable energy sources and reliably supplying consumers with energy resources, industrial products and services. A department for renewable energy development has therefore been formed within the State Committee.
The State Inspectorate for Ecological and Technical Safety under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic is responsible for monitoring energy consumption.
Under the National Strategy for Sustainable Development for 2018-2040, energy efficiency technologies must be applied in all new construction and the government plans to implement large-scale programmes on energy‑efficient reconstruction of old residential and non-residential buildings, and to introduce energy efficiency passports for all buildings.
After Kyrgyzstan gained its independence, residential power consumption rose significantly due to intensive use of electricity for heating and cooking. In November 2014, new electricity tariffs were approved based on a 700‑kWh monthly threshold for residential electricity consumers (700kWh is the level of power consumption that can be satisfied through domestic power generation). Above this threshold, residential consumers are charged a higher tariff (assessed for domestic power generation) plus the cost of imported power during the winter months. This threshold and the new tariffs provide incentives for consumers to conserve energy, especially in winter, and to adopt alternative fuels when it is economically efficient (coal, for example).
A more reliable supply of gas and implementation of Gazprom Kyrgyzstan''s investment programme to improve the gas grid will further encourage switching from electricity to gas and coal.
The Law on Environmental Protection, the Law on Ecological Expertise and the Law on Common Technical Regulations to Ensure Environmental Security form the legislative backbone for environmental protection in Kyrgyzstan. They regulate environmental impact assessments and the process of environmental appraisal.
The Electricity Law requires that a study be conducted prior to construction of an HPP to assess the use of water resources for purposes other than electricity generation. The results of that study must be provided to the local authorities of the territory in which the HPP will be constructed or will have effects. Any call for tenders relating to HPPs should contain a memorandum on such a study and its results, and all expenses and losses incurred by the local population as the result of HPP construction should be included in the estimated construction costs.
The Water Law also requires that a state ecological appraisal be conducted prior to construction and commissioning of plants and facilities that may impact water resources and/or the condition of hydro-economic facilities. Financing construction work at water facilities without a state ecological appraisal is prohibited.
Kyrgyzstan''s State Agency on Environmental Protection and Forestry is responsible for ecological appraisal and monitoring. A state ecological appraisal must address control over measures on registration of water intake and water releases; protection of water from contamination, impurity and depletion; and prevention of economic activities that may have a harmful influence on the ecological condition of the water facility and the environment.
The Law on Environmental Protection mandates environmental impact assessments are required for all stages of new developments, both for generation facilities and high voltage transmission lines but measures for protecting nature during construction of medium- and low-voltage power lines are almost non-existent.
However, Kyrgyzstan charges a fee for pollution; the methodology for pollution fees was approved by the government in 2011.
In the oil, gas and coal extraction industries, the level of environmental protection is considered low due to insufficient regulation and legislation. Concern is also mounting over the planned increase in coal mining and the sustainability of the sector.
Kyrgyzstan ratified the UNFCCC in 2000 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2003, though it is not an AnnexI or AnnexII Party and does not have a specific commitment under the Protocol. In line with UNFCCC requirements, Kyrgyzstan prepared three National Communications in 2004, 2008 and 2016. The country''s energy-related emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) totalled 9.5Mt in 2012, 57.6% less than in 1990. The transport sector accounts for 40.9% of energy-related CO2 emissions, followed by commercial services (including agriculture) at 20.8%, power generation (19.3%), manufacturing (16%), households (2.7%) and other energy industries (0.1%).
Kyrgyzstan also participates in the Covenant of Mayors programme, an EU initiative to bring together local, regional and national authorities to voluntarily commit to reducing CO2 emissions by at least 20% by 2020 by improving energy efficiency and introducing renewables. Current Signatories are the mayors of the cities of Osh and Talas, and the mayor of Tokmok is likely to join.
Starting in 2014, the Program for Energy Efficient Modernization of Coal-Fired Small Boiler Houses was approved with the aim of making heat supplied by small coal-fired boilers 34% more efficient by 2020. The programme is expected to be listed with the UNFCCC register of affordable actions by developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Technology research and development is almost non-existent in Kyrgyzstan: the main reasons for this are a lack of funding (state funding of research institutes under the National Academy of Science is insufficient) and the country''s small market.
The most recent research by the National Academy of Science includes:
In addition, with assistance, knowledge transfer and some limited technology deployment, a handful of local small NGOs implemented several pilot projects in renewable energy development. Replication of such projects is minimal or absent.
Thank you for subscribing. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of any IEA newsletter.
Copy citation Copied
Copy url Copied
Having set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44% by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the Kyrgyz Republic recognises that renewables – primarily hydropower – will be the driver of zero-carbon policies, given their enormous potential in the country.
About Energy storage applications kyrgyzstan
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Energy storage applications kyrgyzstan have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Energy storage applications kyrgyzstan for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Energy storage applications kyrgyzstan featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
