 Presentation |
Kyrgyz Republic is rich in power resources. This
is especially true for the hydro energy resources,
which potential is estimated to be 142 billion kWh
per annum by experts, of which only 10 % are used
now.
High reserves of energy resources have created favorable
preconditions for fast development of a power complex
of the Republic, which from the beginning of 1980's
became a huge producer of hydro electricity in the
Central-Asian region. Up to 50% of the cheap and
clean electric power generated here has been delivered
to the United Energy System of Central Asia.
Kyrgyzstan's electric power industry is capable
of meeting the country's domestic electricity needs
while providing surplus electricity for export.
Kyrgyzstan has two major electric power plants -
a 1.2-gigawatt (GW) hydropower plant at Toktogul,
and a 0.76-GW thermal plant at Bishkek, with plans
for a major 6.8-GW hydropower station to be built
by 2010. In 2000, Kyrgyzstan generated 14.7 billion
kilowatt-hours (Bkwh) of electricity, up from 13.0
Bkwh in 1999, while the country consumed only 9.8
Bkwh in 2000.
Kyrgyzstan's abundant water resources give it
significant hydroelectric potential. The energy
potential of Kyrgyzstan's mountain rivers is estimated
at 163 Bkwh per year. Hydroelectric energy meets
approximately 20% of Kyrgyzstan's primary energy
requirements and accounts for nearly 20% of its
total exports. With rapidly growing energy demand
in neighboring countries, Kyrgyzstan's hydroelectric
power potential is becoming more attractive to
foreign investors. The long-delayed 450-megawatt
(MW) Tash Kumyr Hydroelectric Plant was put into
full operation in 2001, and Kyrgyzstan is working
to secure financial resources to construct two
power-generating units at the Kambar-Ata Hydroelectric
Plant.
The Kyrgyz Republic has a real prospect for development
of hydropower construction. On the Naryn river alone,
the existing cascade of hydropower plants consists
of 5 power plants with a total installed capacity
of 2870 MW. It is also possible to construct another
7 cascades including 33 hydropower plants with a
total installed capacity of 6450 MW and annual generation
of more than 22 billion kWh.
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In 2001, Kyrgyzstan embarked
on a restructuring of Kyrgyzenergo, splitting off
the company's distribution networks and leaving
the former monopoly as just an electricity generating
company. In July 2001, the Kyrgyz parliament approved
a government restructuring plan for Kyrgyzenergo,
the state electricity company, which is aimed at
preparing the company for privatization this year.
The plan calls for the company to be divided into
eight independent divisions. AO Power Stations,
whose core activity will be the generation and sale
of electricity, includes the At-Bashinsk Hydroelectric
Plant, Toktogulsk Hydroelectric Plant, thermal power
plants in Bishkek and Osh, and enterprises of the
Shamaldy-Saiskaya hydroelectric plant that is under
construction, Tash-Kumyr, and Kambaratinsk hydroelectric
plants. National Power Grid, which is charged with
transporting electricity, includes high-voltage
power grids in Chuisk, Issyk-Kul, Naryn, Tallask,
Osh, and Dzhalal-Abad regions. The other divisions
are regional power distribution companies Severelectro,
Vostokelectro, Oshelectro, Zhalal-Abadelectro, and
Bishkekteploset.
Among these four companies "Sever Electro"
is the biggest one in Kyrgyzstan. Sever Electro
serves 52% of the electricity consumers in the
Republic. Nowadays, there are 3200 employees working
at "SeverElectro". There are 17 regions
of power circuits. The area of serving reaches
up to 500 kilometers one way. For example, Talas
oblast is 500 km away from here.
| General
situation |
The following table summarises the key operating
statistics of the four distribution companies :
* includes 35 kV and below
According to state electricity company Kyrgyzenergo,
the country generated 9.314 billion kilowatt-hours
of electricity in the first eight months of 2001,
9.8 percent less than in the same period last year
(10.328 billion kilowatt-hours). Kyrgyzstan plans
to produce 13.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity
in 2001, compared with 14.844 billion kilowatt-hours
in 2000. Expansion of electricity output has been
hindered by inadequate domestic production of transmission-related
equipment, limited fiscal resources, and inadequate
pricing and cost recovery. Currently the infrastructure
to export large amounts of energy is lacking. Kyrgyzstan
is studying the possibility of constructing transmission
lines to China.
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