In an interview, President Sadyr Japarov discussed rising fuel prices and how Kyrgyzstan could achieve greater independence from imported fuel.

The head of state noted that the country is currently dependent on Russia for fuel and lubricants, importing 90 percent of its fuel and 100 percent of its gas, 24.kg reported.

«We currently have only two operating refineries: Zhongda in Kara-Balta and KPC in Jalal-Abad. Together, these two facilities cannot cover 100 percent of our needs. Oil reserves are currently being explored in Batken and Alai. But even if we produce the oil we need, these two refineries won’t be able to fully supply us with gasoline,» the head of state said.

He reported that both refineries are currently undergoing modernization:

• Kyrgyz Petroleum Company (KPC) - $400 million (half of which was allocated by the state, the other half by an investor);
• Zhongda - $500 million, allocated by China.

According to the president, the reconstruction of both refineries will be completed in 2028, and they will be able to produce K-5 European-standard gasoline.

The head of state noted that after the reconstruction, KPC will begin to cover 50 percent of the needs of the southern part of the country, and Zhongda - 50 percent of the northern part.

«Then it turns out that these two refineries together will provide 50 percent of the population with fuel. To provide the remaining 50 percent, we need to build two more refineries-one in Kemin and one in the south, in Osh or Jalal-Abad, close to the railway under construction. Then we will be able to import oil from Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan if our own oil is insufficient. At the same time, we will also produce our own. Only then can we talk about independence in terms of fuel and lubricants; currently, we are completely dependent on imported fuel,» Japarov said.

He added that the government is trying to keep gasoline prices down and is spending billions on subsidies.

Kyrgyzstan consumes approximately 2 million tons of fuel and lubricants annually. The country imports almost 95 percent of this volume from Russia. The main supplies are gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, bitumen, and crude oil.

In recent months, petroleum product deliveries from Russia have been disrupted due to drone attacks at Russian oil refineries. Against this backdrop, gasoline and diesel fuel prices have risen in Kyrgyzstan. Some gas stations have experienced shortages of AI 95 gasoline and diesel fuel.