Energy emergency as reservoir levels fall
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are facing an energy emergency after the water levels in the reservoirs that feed their largest hydropower stations fell sharply over the past year, officials said this week.
Key figures: Tajikistan's state utility reported that the reservoir serving the Nurek plant has dropped by 2.47 metres (8.1 ft) in the past year. In Kyrgyzstan, President Sadyr Japarov said the Toktogul reservoir has lost about two billion cubic metres (≈70.6 billion cubic feet), roughly 20% of its volume.
Immediate measures: To conserve power, Kyrgyz authorities ordered restaurants to close at 10:00 pm and required public venues to switch off lights by 6:00 pm. Tajik officials warned that staff who allow "irrational" electricity use could be dismissed.
Official warning: The Tajik Ministry of Energy and Water Resources described the situation as "alarming."
Underlying causes: Both countries rely heavily on Soviet-era hydropower plants for domestic electricity. Rapid population growth has increased demand on ageing infrastructure, while drought and rising temperatures are slowing glacier regeneration. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan host roughly 20,000 glaciers across their mountain ranges, which are a vital source of summer runoff.
Longer-term response: To address chronic shortages, both governments are constructing large new hydropower projects designed to improve water storage and generation: Kambar-Ata in Kyrgyzstan and Rogun in Tajikistan. When complete, these plants should increase domestic supply and may allow the countries to export electricity to neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Outlook: Renovation of ageing infrastructure and new dams could ease shortages, but success depends on project timelines, sustained water availability, and regional cooperation on water and energy management.
Sources: statements from national utilities, presidential remarks and the Tajik Ministry of Energy and Water Resources.
