EBRD Backs Renewable Energy Integration in Bishkek’s Heating Network

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has organized a financing package of up to €64 million to modernize district heating services in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic. This marks the EBRD’s first district heating project in the country and aims to improve energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and air quality.

The package includes EBRD loans of up to €27.3 million for Bishkekteploset (BTS) and Bishkekteploenergo (BTE), supported by concessional financing from the Green Climate Fund and additional investment grants. Technical assistance funding will also help with project implementation and social inclusion initiatives.

The investment will modernize pumping stations, district heating networks, and boiler houses while introducing renewable energy technologies. Planned upgrades include the installation of solar photovoltaic systems, large-scale district energy heat pumps—the first of their kind in Central Asia—and advanced monitoring and control systems to improve operational efficiency.

The project is designed to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Improved heating infrastructure will contribute to cleaner air in Bishkek, which experiences severe winter air pollution and ranks among the world’s most affected cities during the cold season.

The modernization initiative aligns with Bishkek’s Green Cities Action Plan, launched in 2024, which identified district heating reform as a top environmental priority. By promoting cleaner energy solutions and more reliable heating services, the project supports the city’s long-term climate resilience and sustainable urban development goals.