On September 30, 2021, a public hearing was held in the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic on the draft Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Sphere of Energy Saving” (to the Laws of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Energy Saving”, “On Energy Efficiency of Buildings”).

It was initiated by the Public Council of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic on the transition to a “green” economy in the country, represented by the deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ekmat Baipakbayev.

Currently, the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of energy saving is based on two main laws – the Law “On Energy Saving” (1998) and the Law “On Energy Efficiency of Buildings” (2011), as well as by-laws in this area, such as decrees, technical norms and rules.

The purpose of amending the laws is to improve and update the Laws of the Kyrgyz Republic “On energy saving”, “On energy efficiency of buildings” to reduce energy consumption in the country, without slowing down the pace of economic development.

“Natural resources are being depleted every year, a shortage of water resources, a crisis in electricity is already felt, on the eve of the heating season the Toktogul HPP is insufficiently filled, therefore, I think such bills are very necessary and necessary, first of all, it is the rational use of our resources. We must understand that natural resources may run out. It is these bills that create a structure, focusing on it in the future, the Cabinet of Ministers should prepare those mechanisms that should work in this direction, “said Ekmat Baipakbayev.

The coordinator of the advisory support project of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, director of the Unison PF, co-chairman of the Coordination Council for Energy Saving under the Ministry of Energy and industry of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurzat Abdyrasulova.

According to her, work on the law has been underway since 2018, the need for its amendments has been raised several times. The law aims to improve energy efficiency in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. It includes a number of important provisions for creating an effective institutional and regulatory framework for improving energy efficiency.

However, the current law of 1998 has not shown its particular effectiveness. Employees of the State Committee for Energy and Industry, experts from the European Union and other specialists took part in the development of the updated document.

The new draft law proposes the following instruments: clear goals in the field of energy efficiency / energy saving, conducting an energy audit for large enterprises and state entities, the introduction of mandatory metering of electricity, natural gas and heat with a flexible payment system for energy consumption, a liability scheme and labeling for energy efficiency, and many others. important changes.

The public hearings were also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Energy and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, the State Agency for Architecture, Construction and Housing and Communal Services, the State Agency for Regulation of the Fuel and Energy Complex under the Ministry of Energy and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, experts in the field of energy, etc.

The participants recognize the need to update the existing and introduce new terms in the field of energy saving and energy efficiency. According to them, the adoption of this bill in practice will help to reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, which will have a positive effect on air quality in cities.

The new draft law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Sphere of Energy Saving” should now be discussed in the specialized committees of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Source: Kyrgyz National News Agency