Kazakhstan has decided to quit a Central Asian power grid, leaving two cash-strapped countries in the region, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, short of electricity.
Kazakhstan's state-owned Electricity Grid Operating Company said it had to withdraw from the unified energy system because Tajikistan was taking more energy than allowed from the grid although its production is less than that it consumes.
This has forced Kyrgyzstan to restrict electricity consumption in its northern regions, including the capital Bishkek, during peak hours. This is in addition to large-scale power cuts in rural areas, reports quoting the Kyrgyz energy ministry said.
The energy producers of Kyrgyzstan have reportedly begun talks with neighboring states to resolve the situation.
Tajikistan, a mountainous country on Afghanistan's northeastern border, is experiencing a worse power-shortage, and has imposed severe power cuts across the country.
The development has further exposed lack of coordination in the sharing of energy resources in the five countries of Central Asia.
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