China-Kyrgyzstan solar cooperation boosts green development

China and Kyrgyzstan have shared close cooperation across a range of fields, from trade and investment to infrastructure and projects benefiting people's livelihood.

In recent years, the partnership has expanded into green development, with solar power becoming one of the most visible examples.

A major milestone came on April 12, 2024, when then Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Du Dewen and then Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of the 400-megawatt photovoltaic project in the Issyk-Kul region.

The project marked the first cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan in solar power generation.

At the ceremony, Japarov hailed China's contribution to Kyrgyzstan's green development, saying that the development and utilization of renewable energy was a priority for Kyrgyzstan's economic development.

He expressed the Kyrgyzstan's willingness to support Chinese companies in local development and deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Du called on Chinese enterprises to leverage their strengths in investment, technology, construction and operations to contribute to Kyrgyzstan's green development.

The groundbreaking has laid the foundation for future concrete results.

Through close cooperation between the two countries, a large-scale photovoltaic power station in Kemin District of northern Kyrgyzstan's Chui Region began operations in December 2025, becoming the country's first large-scale solar power station.

The project covers an area of about 230 hectares and is equipped with 193,000 photovoltaic panels.

Designed to generate around 200 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, it provides a more stable, uninterrupted power supply for nearby communities and cities, while reducing more than 150,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov attended the grid-connection ceremony and praised the project team's expertise and efficiency.

The project has brought advanced renewable-energy construction and operating experience to Kyrgyzstan.

It has also added new momentum to the country's energy security and sustainable development, said Japarov.