The President of Kyrgyzstan, in another interview with Kabar news agency, explained an increase in electricity tariffs in the country from May 1, 2023.
According to Sadyr Japarov, the debt of the energy sector is 137 billion soms to date.
«The cost of generation of 1 kilowatt-hour is 2.38 soms. Someone can say that this cost is wrong, comparing it with the cost of hydroelectric power. Yes, the cost of hydroelectric power is indeed lower. However, after all, it does not reach people directly and without other costs. The salary of power industry specialists, the purchase of new equipment, wires, poles, maintenance costs, coal, fuel oil, imported electricity, technical losses — all this is added to the cost. Therefore, it is 2.38 soms now. We sell one kilowatt-hour for 77 tyiyns. This can be checked by any specialists or a parliamentary commission,» Sadyr Japarov said.
Yes, the previous presidents also wanted to raise the electricity tariff. But they were afraid that the people would be outraged, while the energy system was annually plunged into debt, and this amount reached 137 billion soms.
Sadyr Japarov
The President noted that in the winter period, the country imports 3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity from neighboring countries, because domestic generation is not enough.
«Until 2020, we bought 3 billion kilowatt-hours for 5 soms for cash from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and sold it to people for 77 tyiyns. This is one of the reasons why energy companies have debts. The debts that appeared after systematic theft also made their contribution, of course. When I came to office, I did not buy electricity from neighbors for cash. There was an agreement that in winter they give us electricity, and in summer we supply them with water, we drain it. I could play no games, saying that it can be as it may after me. My presidency will go well. But then, in 10-15 years, the energy system will collapse. We will be left with diesel generators only,» he said.
The price of electricity for the population of the country will increase by 23 tyiyns from May 1, 2023 and will reach 1 som. According to the decision, when electricity consumption exceeds 700 kilowatt-hours, the tariff will remain at the same level — 2.16 soms per kilowatt-hour. The tariff for needy families and citizens will also remain at the same level and will amount to 50 tyiyns per 1 kilowatt-hour. The existing tariff for the population without power limitation (unlimited) has been reduced to 3.28 soms per kilowatt-hour instead of 5.04 soms.
