For the first time in 30 years, Kyrgyzstan has started real steps to develop the energy sector. If earlier consumption only grew and generation remained in place, now the country is actively increasing electricity production. Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev said this April 16 during a tour of the Kemin substation for journalists.

Thanks to the president's instruction, the industry has been given a strategic priority, he said.

‘Energy is the locomotive of the economy. Small hydropower plants, solar and wind power plants are now being built. To transmit the generated ‘green’ energy, we plan to build a new 500 kV substation next to the Issyk-Kul substation in Balykchy,’ Ibraev said.

He emphasised that no such large-scale and systematic efforts have been made in the country's energy sector in recent decades.