In 2024, Kyrgyzstan's electricity consumption is predominantly generated from low-carbon sources, with hydropower contributing a substantial 78% of the total electricity mix. This reliance on hydroelectric power underscores the nation's commitment to clean energy, achieving a commendable level of sustainability. Conversely, fossil energy contributes almost 12% to the electricity landscape, with coal as the major contributor at nearly 10%. Additionally, net imports account for around 10% of the energy mix. This distribution highlights Kyrgyzstan's promising lean towards low-carbon electricity as a primary energy source, which is a positive indicator for the environment considering the negative impacts of fossil fuels like climate change and pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Kyrgyzstan?
Examining Kyrgyzstan's electricity consumption trends raises concerns about electricity growth, as the latest consumption figures suggest a decline rather than an increase. The current figure stands at about 1099 kWh per person, which is noticeably lower compared to the peak consumption of 3528 kWh per person in 1990, showing a decrease of approximately 2430 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a decrease to 855 kWh per person from a peak of 2562 kWh per person in 1996, marking a drop of around 1707 kWh per person. These figures indicate a necessity for Kyrgyzstan to foster more growth in electricity generation, especially in the low-carbon sector, to keep pace with future demands driven by electrification and the advancement of AI.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Kyrgyzstan should consider expanding its portfolio of clean energy sources beyond hydropower. Learning from successful regions can offer valuable insights. For example, countries like France and Slovakia, which generate more than half of their electricity from nuclear energy, provide a strong case for investing in nuclear power plants. Additionally, the success of states like Iowa and South Dakota, with wind energy contributing 60% and 57% of their electricity, respectively, demonstrates the potential of wind energy in enhancing energy security and sustainability. Incorporating both nuclear and solar energy could be transformative, with solar energy showing remarkable contributions in regions like Lebanon and Nevada. By harnessing a diversified strategy that emphasizes nuclear and solar energy, Kyrgyzstan could significantly elevate its low-carbon electricity output and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation, specifically hydropower, in Kyrgyzstan, presents a pattern of volatility with notable expansions and contractions over the years. During the 1990s, fluctuations were observed with years like 1994 and 1999 seeing significant expansions, while other years witnessed declines. The early 2000s continued this trend, with 2003 seeing a positive spike. However, substantial declines occurred in 2008, followed by a major decline in 2015, indicating challenges in maintaining consistent hydropower generation. More recent data from the 2020s reflects continued instability with a stark negative change as recently as 2024. This historical overview highlights the need for Kyrgyzstan to develop a more stable and diversified approach to low-carbon electricity, increasing resilience against variability and optimizing its rich hydropower potential with additional clean energy investments.
