“There will be no outages in winter in two and a half years”
In a recent interview with the news agency “Kabar,” President Sadyr Japarov spoke about the current shortage of electricity in the country.
– Hello, Sadyr Nurgoyoevich! Recently, the public has been very concerned about the issue of electricity shortages. At the opening of the Kara-Kul Hydroelectric Power Station, you noted that this problem exists but will be resolved within two and a half years. However, some critics remind us that such a promise was made five years ago as well. How do you comment on this?
– Hello. Yes, in 2020, I did say “bear with us a little longer.” But I want to clarify that these words were spoken during my meeting with the residents of the Naryn region in November 2020, before we came to power. At that time, there was a restriction across all of Kyrgyzstan, including in the high-altitude Naryn region, where winter lasts a long time, and electricity consumption was limited to 700 kW.
People were making requests: “If only this restriction could be lifted, because 700 kW runs out quickly, and for exceeding it, we have to pay 2 soms 16 tyiyns, which is too heavy for us.” In response, I said: “This restriction can be lifted, but not now, bear with us until spring.”
We fulfilled this promise. Since spring 2021, a tariff of 1 som per 1 kW/h without restrictions has been introduced for 190,000 subscribers living in difficult mountainous conditions.
In other words, the previous norm, under which exceeding 700 kW required payment of 2 soms 16 tyiyns, was abolished. Since then, the tariff has gradually increased by 5–10 tyiyns and currently stands at 1 som 37 tyiyns. There are no more restrictions.
Additionally, for citizens who are in difficult situations and receive social assistance, a preferential tariff “Family Support” is in effect - 50 tyiyns per 1 kW/h for consumption up to 700 kW/h.
– When you came to power, the situation in the energy sector was very complicated. During your inauguration, you pointed out that the debt in this sector was 137 billion soms. What is the situation now?[/b>
– Now the situation has significantly improved compared to five years ago. It is true that at the beginning of 2021, the debt of the energy sector was 137 billion soms, which is approximately 1.5 billion dollars.
Thanks to the reforms implemented and the fight against corruption, we managed to reduce the debt to 25 billion soms. We plan to completely eliminate it by the end of next year and achieve profitability. Such a result was achieved in just five years.
As for the electricity shortage in winter, I spoke about this at the opening of the Kara-Kul Hydroelectric Power Station. In two and a half years, we will be able to fully meet our electricity needs from our own resources and will stop importing from other countries; we plan that there will be no more outages in winter.
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