Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Minister Altynbek Rysbekov can not guarantee that the country will avoid power outages this winter. According to him, capacity shortages may occur during peak morning and evening consumption periods.

He made the statement at a meeting of the Zhogorku Kenesh Committee on Industrial Policy, Transport, Fuel and Energy Complex, Architecture and Construction. Lawmakers asked whether electricity outages were expected this winter, but received no definitive answer.

Rysbekov said Kyrgyzstan continues to face an electricity deficit and imports around 4 billion kilowatt-hours annually to cover the shortfall.

“There are morning and evening consumption peaks. A capacity shortage may occur during these periods. The countries from which we purchase electricity may also be unable to supply us with the required volumes at peak times. As a result, capacity shortages may arise during these hours, ” the minister explained.

He added that no scheduled power outages or electricity restrictions were planned for the winter. However, additional measures may be necessary during peak consumption periods.

In the first nine months of this year, Kyrgyzstan generated 11,314 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, exceeding the planned output of 10,334 billion kilowatt-hours.

As of October 15, electricity imports reached 2,922 billion kilowatt-hours.