At a press conference at AKIpress, Biynazar Berdikeev, representing the LLC "ESM-SI," stated that the actions of the Ministry of Energy could lead to the forced sale or bankruptcy of distribution companies.
Electric distribution companies support this viewpoint, confirming that they are facing the threat of bankruptcy and possible monopolization of the sector.
The cause for such concern is the draft order from the Ministry of Energy "On Certain Issues in the Electric Power Industry for Distribution Enterprises," which was proposed for public discussion on March 10, 2026, and dated September 12, 2022, No. 01-13/146.
According to this draft, a new "import tariff" is introduced for private distribution companies for the purchase of electricity.Distribution companies note that instead of individually justified tariffs approved in April 2025, they are being imposed a tariff based on the weighted average cost of imports, the details of which remain secret and are classified information.
Berdikeev believes that what is being proposed is, in fact, an ultimatum: either the distribution networks must be sold to the state operator JSC "NESK" at an unfavorable price, or they will have to operate under tariffs that will lead to bankruptcy. The buyout of the networks will require about 5 billion soms, which will create new debt for the energy sector that will be covered by the state budget.
It is also important to note that the concentration of all regulatory functions in one agency deprives the industry of transparency and creates barriers to competition, which contradicts the principles of creating a common market of the EAEU by 2027, based on market mechanisms and fair competition.
The proposed changes could also lead to the disappearance of the private sector and a reduction in private investments. According to Article 1 of the Law "On Electric Power Industry," one of the goals of this law is to create a competitive environment and attract investments to the energy market.
Sector representatives expressed confusion, as President Sadyr Japarov is actively implementing measures to protect businesses in Kyrgyzstan aimed at reducing pressure from law enforcement agencies and improving the investment climate.
Electric distribution companies are calling for the introduction of the "import tariff" to be postponed until the completion of an independent examination and to ensure the independence of the regulator (the Department of Energy and Industry) and the State Energy Inspection, excluding their subordination to the Ministry of Energy.
