Electricity supplies in southern Kyrgyzstan are being disrupted by Uzbekistan's decision to withdraw from the region's unified electrical energy system, according to a Kyrgyz Energy Ministry official.
Up to 90 percent of population in southern Kyrgyzstan is being hit by power shortages, the 24.kg news agency quoted Kubanychbek Turdubaev, the assistant director of the Kyrgyz State Department for Fuel and Energy Complex Regulation, as saying on December 7. Northern areas of Kyrgyzstan are also being experiencing difficulties, but to a lesser degree, Turdubaev added.
"Providing our own energy independence is an urgent issue in this context. It's necessary to complete construction of Kambarata-2 [hydro-electric power station], which will cost the state [$350 million]," he added.
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