Mass electricity outages observed in Bishkek in the summer of 2026 exposed a systemic problem characteristic of the entire region. Despite the active construction of new plants, a simple increase in capacity does not guarantee stable supplies.
The Role of the Unified Power System
According to the Eurasian Development Bank (headquartered in Almaty) report "Energy Without Borders: The Architecture of Central Asian Energy Connectivity," the solution lies in the joint cooperation of the countries. Historically, the region inherited unified technical standards and developed cross-border capacities since the Soviet era.
Currently, within the framework of the Central Asian Unified Power System (CA UPS), the energy systems of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and the southern part of Kazakhstan are functioning. Turkmenistan and northeastern Afghanistan interact with the common grid through separate schemes.
Context
The energy deficit problem requires a comprehensive approach, as the geographical borders of Central Asia are wider than the technical contour of the unified power system.
