Energy Minister Talaybek Ibraev responded to recent statements made by Almazbek Atambayev regarding energy projects implemented during his presidency.
Ibraev noted: "I have familiarized myself with his remarks. Many of Atambayev's claims are unfounded and manipulative. I am ready to provide evidence."
As an argument, the minister referred to the period from 2010 to 2017, when Kyrgyzstan periodically purchased electricity from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. He emphasized that the average price for imported electricity was 5 soms per 1 kWh, while now it is 3 soms per 1 kWh.
Ibraev also recalled that in 2017-2018, due to heavy precipitation, the water level in the Toktogul Reservoir rose to 19.6 billion cubic meters.
"The reserves were sufficient to survive two winters without imports. This was made possible by climatic conditions. Since 2019, we have started importing electricity again. If in 2017 consumption was 14 billion 163 million kWh, now it has reached 20 billion kWh," he added.
In recent years, hundreds of new educational institutions, factories, and residential areas have opened in the country. Since the beginning of 2023, 32,090 new facilities have been connected to the electrical networks, which in total provided 2,911 MW of capacity. Currently, the country's generation capacity is 3,400 MW. This is explained by population growth, economic recovery, and increased production, which in turn leads to increased electricity consumption, Ibraev explained.
Regarding the reconstruction of the Toktogul HPP
The minister also commented on Atambayev's words about the reconstruction of the Toktogul HPP. In his opinion, these statements are not true, as the completion of the reconstruction of four hydro units only occurred recently:
1st hydro unit - in 2022,
2nd hydro unit - in 2023,
3rd hydro unit - in 2024,
4th hydro unit - was put into operation in 2025.
"Only then did the capacity increase by 240 MW. Atambayev did not complete this work in his time. These were projects initiated earlier, and in fact, no work was done then," said Ibraev.
Construction of the Datka-Kemin power line
"The construction of the Datka-Kemin power line was indeed completed during Atambayev's time, that is true. However, this year we launched a similar project, CASA-1000. The cost of one kilometer of the line in the CASA-1000 project was 420 thousand dollars," noted the minister, adding that for the Datka-Kemin line this amount was 644 thousand dollars.
The difference is 224 thousand dollars per kilometer, which totals 90 million 720 thousand dollars for 405 km. "Under Atambayev, this money was stolen," declared Ibraev.
In response to questions about reforms in the energy sector from 2010 to 2020, he noted that mainly the reconstruction of the Bishkek CHPP was carried out.
"These works were also performed poorly and expensively. As a result, a criminal case was initiated, and the investigation established that out of 386 million dollars in loans, 111 million were embezzled. The corresponding leaders, including Atambayev, were held accountable for this," added the minister.
In 2012, an agreement was signed with RusHydro for the construction of the Upper Naryn Cascade of HPPs, however, according to Ibraev, no HPP was ultimately built. "Kyrgyzstan allegedly received 37 million dollars, but in fact, this amount, with interest, reached 51 million dollars, and now we are suing Russia. The arbitration court has obliged us to pay. These are the results of Atambayev's 'false reforms' in the energy sector. If he had not unilaterally terminated the agreement with Russia, we would not have lost the case. Now we have to pay 51 million dollars," he stated.
Reasons for the current deficit
Ibraev believes that the cause of the current deficit is not the collapse of the energy system, but the increase in consumption. "If previously consumption was 14 billion kWh, now it has reached 20 billion kWh. This is due to the increase in the number of manufacturing enterprises and the connection of new facilities," he explained. Additionally, the decrease in water volume is also an ecological factor.
"Despite this, the state is actively working on solving the problem. Currently, the Kambaratinskaya HPP-1 (1860 MW) is under construction," added the minister.
The Bala-Saryuu HPP (25 MW) has been put into operation, and the construction of the Kulanak HPP (100 MW) and the Orto-Tokoy HPP (21 MW) is underway. In Karakol, the construction of a CHPP with a capacity of 1200 MW has begun. An agreement has been signed for the Kazarman HPP (912 MW), and investors have been attracted for the Kökömören HPP (1305 MW). Additionally, about 100 small and medium HPPs, as well as wind and solar stations, are actively being constructed.
"During Atambayev's time, not a single new HPP was built. On the contrary, the industry found itself in debt, and projects were implemented at twice the cost and with corrupt schemes. This is an officially proven fact. Atambayev's statements that 'we stopped imports and reconstructed HPPs' are absolute lies. If he wants to dispute my words, I am ready to prove it," concluded the energy minister.
