He reminded that it was the deterioration of the energy sector that led to the April revolution of 2010. "Every day there were rolling blackouts, and during the winter, entire regions were left without electricity on a schedule. In Bishkek, there was also a shortage of electricity — residents lost three-phase power, and even streetlights could not provide adequate lighting. When I left my post in 2017, we, along with energy specialists, were confident that the problem was solved. I was proud that by that time Kyrgyzstan no longer depended on the water level in Toktogul. In 2017 and 2018, we completely stopped importing electricity, which I considered an achievement of our energy independence," he noted.
Atambayev expressed bewilderment at the current situation in the energy sector: "How could it be brought to the state of spring 2010?"He also emphasized that after 2010, the "Datka-Kemin" power transmission line was built and the "Datka" substation was put into operation. "Previously, Kyrgyzstan lost about $8 million annually on the transit of its electricity through Uzbekistan and an additional $5.6-7 million to Kazakhstan. Moreover, Kazakhstan planned to raise transit tariffs to $30-33 million a year, which would mean additional losses of $38-41 million for the right to transport our electricity," Atambayev added.
He pointed out that the power deficit in the northern part of the country reached 500 MW (up to 40% of consumption) due to the limited capacity of the "Toktogul HPP — Frunze" line. According to Atambayev, half a billion dollars in loans were spent on the "Datka-Kemin" project, which paid off due to savings on payments to neighbors of $40 million each year. He also mentioned the large-scale rehabilitation of the Toktogul HPP since 2012, which allowed for an increase in capacity by 240 MW thanks to an ADB project.
Atambayev noted that the modernization of the Bishkek CHPP added another 300 MW to the total capacity. "Although scandals and criminal cases arose around this project, it is this updated CHPP that currently provides heating and electricity for Bishkek. In those same years, the development of small and private HPPs began, as well as the reconstruction of networks. It deeply pains me to see those who worked on solving energy problems being accused of doing nothing, while the 'miners of Shirshov' at 'Kambar-Ata-2' inflate the prices of transformers by 34 times, from 4.8 million soms to 55 million soms," he emphasized.
Additionally, Atambayev expressed dissatisfaction that the current government insults not only him but also the work of thousands of people who helped pull the energy sector out of the crisis of the 90s. "Is it reasonable now, when the country is facing a severe energy crisis, to develop mining and discuss cryptocurrencies with known scammers, while exporting electricity to Kazakhstan at undervalued prices?" the former president questioned.
He is also categorically against the period of his presidency from 2010 to 2017 being called a "black hole." "I am ready to be accountable for my decisions and have done so, including in court proceedings. But the current authorities must understand that they cannot rewrite the history of the last 30 years to suit themselves," Atambayev concluded.
