By Azergold Cjsc

Copyright trend

BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 15. Today, the bulk
of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity is generated at hydropower plants.
Total electricity consumption in January-June 2025 reached 10
billion kWh, of which hydropower plants supplied 6.6 billion kWh.
For comparison, thermal power plants generated 1.13 billion kWh,
while solar stations produced only 0.14 million kWh, and the
country had to import 2.05 billion kWh of electricity. Such a heavy
reliance on hydropower makes the energy system particularly
vulnerable to climatic factors, especially low water levels, as
well as seasonal demand fluctuations.

To reduce risks in the energy sector, Kyrgyzstan is actively
cooperating with international partners. Germany is a global leader
in the energy transition, known as Energiewende, or “energy shift.”
This concept envisages a gradual phase-out of fossil fuels and
nuclear power in favor of renewable energy sources.

However, Kyrgyzstan cannot directly replicate the German model
due to financial constraints. Instead, it adopts the core
principles: improving energy efficiency, modernizing networks, and
pursuing institutional reforms. These form the basis of
Kyrgyz-German energy cooperation.

As a result, while large-scale projects involving Germany are
rare, some are being implemented. For instance, in November 2024,
during President Sadyr Zhaparov’s visit to Germany, an investment
agreement was signed with several European companies (Czech firm
Sonnenenergie and German firms AB Progressio GmbH and LTI ReEnergy
CleanTech Project Development UG) for the construction of two
floating solar power plants with a total capacity of 612 MW.

In addition, during the same visit, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of
Energy and Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG signed a memorandum
on joint project implementation and the introduction of modern
technologies in the energy sector.

Most Kyrgyz-German cooperation, however, is carried out through
the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the KfW
Development Bank. Unlike the construction of large generation
facilities, their work focuses on developing soft infrastructure:
upgrading networks, introducing modern metering and tariff systems,
and improving distribution efficiency. Professional training
programs and internships in Germany also help shape skilled
personnel for the green sector.

Moreover, GIZ is implementing the Green Central Asia initiative,
launched by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office in January 2020. The
project covers Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
and Uzbekistan, serving as Germany’s contribution to the EU
Strategy for Central Asia (2019). Its second phase runs from April
2024 to June 2028.

The program helps regional countries better coordinate their
actions in adapting to climate change. It supports the development
of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and fosters the
growth of institutions and specialists in adaptation, drawing on
accumulated experience and scientific expertise.

As part of the initiative, in May 2025, a subregional seminar on
managing climate risks associated with tailings facilities was held
in Bishkek. During the event, a memorandum of cooperation was
signed between GIZ and the OSCE Academy, aimed at coordinating
actions, sharing knowledge, and implementing joint projects on
climate adaptation and sustainable natural resource management.

By comparison, Kyrgyzstan’s cooperation with other major
international partners differs in model and scale from the German
approach. China is a major investor in large-scale renewable energy
projects. The Chinese Shenzhen Energy Group plans to build solar
and wind power plants in Kyrgyzstan, each with a capacity of 300
MW. China has also invested in hydropower plants at the Papan and
Orto-Tokoy reservoirs, as well as in the construction of the second
unit of the Kambarata-2 HPP. These projects significantly
strengthen the country’s energy security and reduce its dependence
on electricity imports.

Russia is another key partner for Kyrgyzstan in the energy
sector. Joint projects include the construction and financing of
hydropower plants, such as the Kulanak HPP on the Naryn river, with
the involvement of the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund (RKDF).
Negotiations are also underway with Rosatom on the possible
construction of a small nuclear power plant. In addition,
Kyrgyzstan imports natural gas and gasoline from Russia.

In this context, cooperation with Germany plays a strategically
complementary role. German projects in reforms and efficiency
create a strong institutional foundation, enabling the safe and
effective integration of new capacities from large energy projects
while ensuring their reliability and the resilience of the entire

The partnership with Germany also brings Kyrgyzstan knowledge,
experience, and qualified specialists. Education and youth programs
supply the country with specialists capable of operating equipment
and developing the energy sector. This approach makes the energy
system more flexible, resilient to climate risks, and better
prepared for future challenges. In the long term, it is not just
support but an investment in the country’s independence and its
green future.