Kyrgyzstan halts electricity exports to Kazakhstan on August 17; Kazakhstan to supply 500 million kWh in winter

BISHKEK. KAZINFORM - Starting from August 17 Kyrgyzstan has halted electricity exports to Kazakhstan, Minister of Energy and Industry of Kyrgyzstan Osmonbek Artykbayev said August 18 at a press conference in Bishkek.

Kyrgyzstan has supplied Kazakhstan 128 million kWh of electricity of planned 500 million kWh, he said. Today the sides are holding the electricity flow back, Kazakhstan has delivered back about 800,000 kWh.

After Kazakhstan finishes giving back 128 million kWh, it will supply Kyrgyzstan 500 million kWh, AKI Press reported.

"We will return the electricity to Kazakhstan when maybe in a few years when the water level will be higher," said Artykbayev.

He added that the Government of Kyrgyzstan plans to cover the shortfalls by means of credit money, subsidy, and optimization. "The questions of funding for the fall-winter 2014-2015 is being decided."

The contest for deliveries of coal among the local producers has already found the winner and another tender for the supply of 630 thousand will soon be held, he said.