Deutsche Welle: Kyrgyzstan persuades Uzbekistan of inexpediency of its step-out from unified energy system

Kyrgyzstan is trying to persuade Uzbekistan of inexpediency of its step-out from the unified energy system, Deutsche Welle radio reports.

The Tashkent’s decision could lead to regular failures of the network and finally disrupt energy security of Kyrgyzstan, which has suffered from energy crisis several years in a row.

Kyrgyz Industry and Energy Ministry and other government institutions give no official comment over consequences of Uzbekistan’s secession from the unified energy system of Central Asia. Meanwhile, Kyrgyz power engineers hold closed talks with their Uzbek counterparts.

“Bishkek is trying to persuade Tashkent of inexpediency of its secession from the unified system, but without success. Kyrgyz specialists rushed to estimate risks and work on plan of actions in case Uzbekistan will really leave the energy system,” the report said.

The unified energy system of Central Asia has been designed and created as a single unit which provides secure and trouble-free energy supply to the whole region. “In case a country steps out, the system will lose its balance,” Valentina Kasymova, an independent expert said.

“The system automatically regulates operation of water reservoirs in Naryn – Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers basins,” Kasymova said. Another problem is that the single control center, which regulates energy flows from one country to the other, is situated in Tashkent.

As to the expert, every member of the system should let the other participants know of its secession beforehand.