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Kazakhstan paid a substantially higher price for electricity imported from Russia in 2025 compared to Kyrgyzstan, according to an investigative report by Kursiv. The findings highlight a significant cost difference, with Russian energy being six times more expensive.

Energy Import Discrepancies Revealed

In 2025, Kazakhstan's electricity imports from Russia reached 4.34 billion kWh, costing $370.1 million. This translates to approximately 8.5 US cents per kWh. Notably, during the same period, Kazakhstan sold electricity to Russia at a much lower rate of about 2 US cents per kWh, receiving $43.5 million for 2.16 billion kWh. This means Russia sold electricity back to Kazakhstan at a price 4.3 times higher than what Kazakhstan received for its own exports to Russia.

The situation with Kyrgyzstan presents a stark contrast. Kazakhstan exported 890.1 million kWh to Kyrgyzstan for $27.6 million (3.1 cents/kWh). In return, Kyrgyzstan supplied Kazakhstan with 302.3 million kWh for $4.4 million (1.4 cents/kWh). This makes Kyrgyzstan the most affordable source of electricity for Kazakhstan, while Russia emerges as the most expensive.

Factors Influencing Price Differences

Kazakhstan faces a domestic energy deficit, with consumption slightly exceeding production in 2025. The country produced 123.1 billion kWh while consuming 124.6 billion kWh, necessitating significant imports, primarily from Russia.

The higher cost of Russian electricity, particularly during peak evening hours when demand is highest and exceeds domestic supply, is a key factor. This timing often corresponds with the most expensive import rates.

Energy exchanges with Kyrgyzstan are closely linked to water resource management. Kazakhstan provides electricity to Kyrgyzstan during winter months, enabling Kyrgyzstan to release water for agricultural use in southern Kazakhstan during the summer. Additionally, Kyrgyzstan contributes electricity generated from its own hydroelectric power stations.

Kazakhstan also imports electricity from Uzbekistan, receiving 522.2 million kWh for $24.2 million, averaging 4.6 cents per kWh.

Overall, in 2025, Kazakhstan exported approximately 3 billion kWh of electricity for $71.1 million (an average of 2.3 cents/kWh) and imported 5.2 billion kWh for $398.7 million (an average of 7.7 cents/kWh).

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