Kyrgyzstan receives electricity from neighbors in exchange for water

Kyrgyz deputy Chingiz Aidarbekov at a meeting of the country's Jogorku Kenesh committee on international affairs, defense and security proposed selling water as a commodity to neighboring countries. According to him, Kyrgyzstan should reasonably explain to its neighbors that water is also the wealth of the country.

“Water is the same resource as oil. We collect, store and give water to neighbors during the irrigation period. Of course, other countries will be against it, but claims must be made with evidence,” the people’s deputy says.

Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev said the World Bank is raising the issue of paying for water use.

“This process has already begun. We have begun to exchange between neighbors. In winter, they provide us with electricity in exchange for water,” the official said.