Kyrgyzstan’s high dependence on hydropower exposes it to the risk of electricity shortages during periods of water scarcity. This risk is magnified by the growing fragility of the power system, which is in urgent need of generation and network investment to improve its operational reliability and to ensure that it has sufficient capacity to meet demand over time. The challenge is further amplified by rapidly growing electricity demand, fuelled by unsustainably low regulated electricity prices, which threatens to quickly outstrip domestic production capacity.

Maintaining access to reliable electricity services is likely to become increasingly problematic in these circumstances, especially during periods of water shortage.

The government of the Kyrgyz Republic recognises these challenges and has initiated a range of investment initiatives to help address them. Policy responses to date have focused on addressing the longer-term adequacy dimensions of the power system reliability and resilience challenge. However, relatively little attention has been focused on the more immediate power system security challenges facing the Kyrgyz power system. Opportunities exist to implement a range of policies that could help to strengthen power system security in the shorter term, especially during periods of water shortage when power system reliability and resilience are likely to be under greatest stress.

A comprehensive and integrated policy framework will be needed to help strengthen power system security in a timely, efficient and cost-effective manner.

This roadmap seeks to address this need. Its goal is to help improve power sector reliability and resilience in Kyrgyzstan in the short term by quickly strengthening power system security, especially during periods of water scarcity.