Supporters of the Kyrgyz opposition group, United Opposition Forces, held protests in Jalal-Abad and Talas Regions on March 14, according to news website 24.kg. The opposition protested against the increases in electricity tariffs, among other issues, according to a report by news website Kloop.kg.
The increases in tariffs for electricity are tied to increases in volumes of electricity imports from neighbouring countries in 2015, Kyrgyz newspaper Vecherniy Bishkek reported in February. Tariffs for the population increased from KGS0.70 (€0.009) per kWh to KGS0.77 per kWh under a limit of 700 kWh per household per month in August 2015. The authorities are planning to raise the tariffs further in April 2016. Electricity charges are a political issue in Kyrgyzstan where population relies on electricity for heating in winter as Uzbekistan limits natural gas supplies. In April 2010 popular protests against a sharp increase in electricity and other utilities charges led to the violent overthrow of the then president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
In total, the number of protesters exceeded 1,000 people, according to reports by 24.kg.
Kyrgyzstan agreed to import as much as 500mn kWh of electricity from Tajikistan between June and September in 2015.
Related Articles
Unusually intense heatwave hit Central Asia in March, may impact crop yields
Central Asia experienced an unusually intense heatwave in March that could have an impact on agricultural crop yields, according to an April 4 ... more
Russia’s expulsions of migrants reportedly nearly double in 2024 to around 80,000
Russia in 2024 expelled more than 80,000 migrants for immigration rule violations, compared to 44,200 in 2023 and 26,600 in 2022, TASS reported on January 8. The Russian state news agency cited a ... more
Central Asian unified electricity trade platform will boost renewables, says Uzbek energy official
Central Asia is working to achieve a unified electricity trade platform to improve regional trade and meet the growing demand for renewable energy, according to Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister for ... more