Additionally, the agency drew conclusions about the winter season. According to them, the situation turned out to be not as bad, however, citizens and energy workers have different views on what is happening.
In 2025, electricity consumption increased to 19,094.8 million kWh, which is 4.7% more than in 2024, when this figure was 18,235.0 million kWh. The main factors for the growth were the construction of new residential and industrial facilities, as well as an increase in the number of consumers.
As of January 1, 2026, the total number of consumers reached 1,621,292 (of which 1,503,813 are residential and 117,479 are non-residential). In 2025, the number of users increased by 36,287, including 30,976 in the residential sector and 5,311 in the non-residential sector.
Kaktus.media recalled how the winter of 2025-2026 went and compared the data with reports from the Ministry of Energy.
Limits: Benefits and Discontent
Let's start with the main point - the limits. The Ministry of Energy reminded that restrictions were introduced due to insufficient water accumulation in the Toktogul reservoir and to ensure stable electricity supply. Power was reduced during peak hours: from 06:00 to 09:00 and from 18:00 to 22:00.Specifically:
- for single-phase consumers, power was reduced from 5 kW to 3 kW;
- for three-phase consumers - from 8 kW to 5 kW.
Energy workers claim that thanks to prompt measures, these risks were avoided.Nevertheless, Kyrgyz citizens began to express dissatisfaction with the reduction of limits long before the official announcement. Energy workers did not acknowledge the introduction of restrictions for a long time until the discontent became widespread. Then they confirmed the existence of limits.
This created many inconveniences for citizens, who had to choose what to turn on: a kettle, a washing machine, or an electric stove. At the same time, these devices could not operate simultaneously. Those with smart meters had it easier: in case of a disconnection, they could immediately turn the lights back on.
However, users of regular electronic meters had a harder time. In the regions, power was reduced for the entire network during peak hours, and even energy-saving bulbs began to "flicker." Forget about the boiler or electric stove.
Outages: Different Opinions on One Problem
Another phrase from the energy workers' report caused confusion: there were no electricity outages during the autumn-winter period. Seriously? How then to explain the cold? Oh, those were "regulatory measures" - another system.In September 2025, Minister of Energy Talaybek Ibraev reported critically low water levels in three reservoirs and predicted that the upcoming winter would be extremely challenging. Immediately after that, complaints about regular electricity outages began. The Chui Electric Company reported the introduction of temporary regulatory measures due to the need for repairs on the inter-system substation. Similar situations were observed not only in the Chui region but throughout the country.
Moreover, outages occurred not only due to regulations but also due to repairs. Throughout the winter, in some areas, power was turned off for several hours for this reason. Energy workers conducted both planned and unplanned repairs. It should be noted that in previous years, all work ceased in November, but not this season.
Despite this, there were no official outages. This is true.
Repairs and Construction of Stations
The Ministry of Energy believes that the preparation for the autumn-winter season was successful."Power was increased due to the modernization of outdated equipment, reconstruction of major hydropower plants, construction of small hydropower plants and substations," the statement said.
From September 2025 to March 2026, Kaktus.media reported on the commissioning after repairs and construction of the following power stations:
- On December 24, 2025, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov participated in the ceremonial launch of the first solar power station with a capacity of 100 MW in the Kemin district of the Chui region. The investment volume amounted to $56 million;
- A small hydropower plant "Shamshy" was launched in the Chui region, for which the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund allocated $1 million;
- At the Toktogul and Uch-Kurgan HPPs, the reconstruction of hydro units was completed. As a result, the capacity of the Toktogul HPP increased from 1,200 to 1,440 MW, and a modern automated control system was implemented. At the Uch-Kurgan HPP, one hydro unit was completely replaced, and the second was modernized, which increased its capacity by 18 MW. In 2026, the reconstruction of the remaining two hydro units is planned. After the completion of all stages of modernization, the total capacity of the HPPs will increase by 36 MW;
- The Kara-Kul HPP was commissioned, equipped with two hydro units with a total capacity of 18 MW. The project was implemented by a domestic investor - LLC "Zhagalmai" - for $25 million, with the transfer of the HPP to the state after 15 years of operation;
- At the Uch-Kurgan HPP, the modernization of two hydro units is being carried out simultaneously, continuing the work to increase the station's capacity.
