Electricity in Kyrgyzstan in 2022

In 2022, Kyrgyzstan's electricity consumption was primarily dominated by low-carbon sources, with hydropower accounting for more than 73% of the total electricity generation. The use of fossil fuels for electricity was relatively limited, contributing just over 12%, with coal making up the majority of this fossil energy segment. Hydropower's significant share places Kyrgyzstan among the nations relying heavily on clean energy. Meanwhile, electricity imports accounted for close to 15% of the consumption, underlining the importance of both domestic generation and cross-border electricity trade in meeting the country's energy needs.

Suggestions

To further boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Kyrgyzstan could look to diversify its energy portfolio by increasing its reliance on other clean energy sources such as wind and solar. Learning from countries like Armenia, which generates about 30% of its electricity from nuclear, or Denmark, where wind energy accounts for nearly 60%, Kyrgyzstan could also consider investments in these technologies. Developing solar infrastructure, inspired by Greece's successful deployment where solar provides over 20% of their electricity, could also put Kyrgyzstan on a path toward enhanced sustainability and energy independence.

History

Historically, the journey of low-carbon electricity in Kyrgyzstan has been marked by fluctuations. In the early 1990s, hydropower generation saw some ups and downs, with notable declines and increases, such as the 2.6 TWh gain in 1994. The late 1990s and early 2000s were similarly variable, with both increases and decreases in output, notably a 2.7 TWh increase in 2003. Recent years have seen some contraction, exemplified by a 2.2 TWh decrease in 2015 and smaller decreases of about 1 TWh in 2021 and 2022. Despite these variations, the long-term trend positions hydropower as the backbone of the nation's clean electricity generation, indicating both its historical importance and its potential for future expansion alongside new low-carbon technologies.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources