water and hydropower Resources
of the Kyrgyz Republic
Kyrgyzstan
is the only country in Central Asia, water
resources of which are
formed exclusively within its territory;
it is a hydrological
peculiarity of the country and its advantage. Kyrgyzstan
possesses abundant water and hydropower resources:
more than 25 000 rivers and
streams originate and flow through the country. In
average, more than 50 km3
of water flow down annually from
mountain areas to the surrounding valleys,
and only 25% are used by the Republic.
Mountainous rapid rivers have a great hydropower potential, and efficient use of these rivers will help the Republic to overcome energy crisis situations.
The Institute of Water Problems and Hydropower carries out research on the most topical issues related to the status and dynamics of water and hydropower resources in the context of the current climate change. Studying these issues, the Institute has already completed the following works:
data and information on river run-off, within the sovereign borders of Kyrgyzstan, were summarized;
parameters of river flows were re-estimated and re-determined;
trends in climate change and its impacts on water object regimes were revealed ;
scale and intensity of glacial degradation were determined (glaciers are considered as one of the main feeding sources of rivers);
forecast of total water availability and changes of the Issyk-Kul lake levels was prepared for the subsequent 15-30 years.
Water Resources of Rivers
Over the last 30 years changes in water availability have been observed. Thus, for example, the total water resources increased by more than 6% and made up 50 km3. If rivers like "Karasuu" are taken into consideration, then this figure increases to 51,9 km3 per year (in comparison with 47,1 km3 of previous observation periods).
Hydropower Potential of
Rivers 
Hydropower potential of 268 rivers (as per linear calculation), 97 biggest canals and 18 reservoirs was estimated with due attention to the existing changes in water availability. In total, this potential comes to 28 828 thousands kW (by capacity) and 249 billion kW per hour (by hydropower generation, during a year of average water availability).
In comparison with other CIS countries, Kyrgyzstan occupies the 4th place after Russia, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.
At the current stage of economic development, the country pays strong attention to exploration and efficient use of water and hydropower resources. A new strategy on transboundary river use, water pricing methodology and water tariffs (as a compensation from the neighboring countries for water use) is under development.