KYRGYZSTAN TO COMBINE HYDROPOWER SYSTEM WITH RUSSIA’S.

The government of Kyrgyzstan has announced a plan to merge its hydroelectrical energy system with Russia’s unified energy system. Hydroelectric power generation is one of Kyrgyzstan’s very few sectors with a strong export potential. Under the plan, the Russian side will acquire a 49 percent stake in Kyrgyzstan’s state power company; build a transmission line across Kyrgyzstan to connect the power systems of Russia and Kazakhstan; and establish a joint venture to complete and commission the vast Naryn power system with its series of dams, whose construction was suspended in 1992 due to lack of funds. The plan provides for a common policy of the two countries in the production, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It is designed to markedly boost Kyrgyzstan’s electricity output and enable Russia to import much of it at cheap prices. Finalized this week by Russia’s deputy prime minister Aleksei Bolshakov in Bishkek, the documents are scheduled to be signed March 29 at the Moscow summit, which will also consecrate Kyrgyzstan’s accession to the CIS customs union. (Delovaya Rossiia, March 14; Interfax, March 20)

The Monitor is a publication of the Jamestown Foundation. It is researched and written under the direction of senior analysts Jonas Bernstein, Vladimir Socor, Stephen Foye, and analysts Ilya Malyakin, Oleg Varfolomeyev and Ilias Bogatyrev. If you have any questions regarding the content of the Monitor, please contact the foundation. If you would like information on subscribing to the Monitor, or have any comments, suggestions or questions, please contact us by e-mail at pubs@jamestown.org, by fax at 301-562-8021, or by postal mail at The Jamestown Foundation, 4516 43rd Street NW, Washington DC 20016. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution of the Monitor is strictly prohibited by law. Copyright (c) 1983-2002 The Jamestown Foundation Site Maintenance by Johnny Flash Productions