Kyrgyzstan plans to mine 1.62mn t of thermal coal this year from the Kara-Keche coal mine, according to the energy ministry, as it reviewed progress on coal production ahead of the 2026-27 autumn-winter season.
The Kara-Keche coal mine, located in the central mountainous region of the country and operated by state-owned producer Kyrgyzkomur, aims to supply about 700,000t to thermal power plants, 700,000t to households and 200,000t to social institutions, the ministry said. Kyrgyzstan mined about 1.4mn t of coal last year.
The ministry said excavation work was carried out according to the government's pre-approved plan, but heavy rainfall affected the pace of production in May. The ministry also reviewed rail delivery schedules to ensure timely shipments of coal to consumers during the upcoming heating season.
Kyrgyzstan, much like its central Asian neighbours, has been expanding its coal sector but mostly with the aim of lifting domestic coal-fired power generation as it often relies on electricity imports every year. The country's grid is mainly powered by coal-fired plants and generates about 14.5 TWh/yr.
Kyrgyzstan exported about 214,000t of coal in the first two months of this year, data from Global Trade Tracker show, rising by 12.4pc on the year from 190,000t. Meanwhile, imports more than halved to 7,700t during January-February, from more than 16,000t a year ago.
More recently, the central Asian country broke ground on a coal logistic project backed by $430mn investment from China.
