Akylbek Zhaparov: We must launch hundreds of small HPPs, solar and wind stations within 2-3 years

Bishkek, Feb. 10, 2022. / Kabar /. “We have to launch hundreds of small hydropower plants, solar and wind stations within 2-3 years,” Akylbek Zhaparov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers told during the National Forum “Kyrgyzstan’s Transition to Sustainable Energy: Barriers and Solutions.”

He said that at present the republic is facing difficulties in the sustainable development of the energy sector, including the technical deterioration of energy equipment, which has reached a critical threshold, the import of electricity due to low water and limited energy capacities.

“So, along with the launch of the active phase of construction at strategic facilities - the Kambar-Ata and Upper-Naryn HPPs, priority should also be given to renewable, sustainable energy sources. At the Climate Change Summit in Glasgow, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov formulated the task of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and renewable energy sources will become the locomotive of this carbon-free policy. We have a high potential for renewable energy sources, the main types of which are hydropower, solar energy, wind energy and geothermal water energy,” he said.

The head of the Cabinet also pointed out that today only 10% of the potential in hydropower is used.

“It should be noted that the territory of our country receives an average of 4.64 billion MW of radiant energy per year from the sun, or 23.4 kW per 1 square meter, and the average annual sunshine duration varies across the territory from 2,100 to 2,900 hours. This potential is practically not used by us. In addition, there are certain opportunities for the development of wind energy, especially in remote areas where the duration of energetically active winds is 5-7 thousand hours with a specific energy of the wind flow up to 2000 kW per 1 sq. km. m," Zhaparov explained.

He stressed that the development of renewable energy sources compared to alternative sources in the form of thermal or nuclear power plants causes much less damage to the environment.

“This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, not pollute the air and glaciers, and not create long-term consequences for the environment. It is important that this will improve the trade and balance of payments of the country, as this will reduce the import of coal and gas from abroad,” summed up the head of the Cabinet.