Salam! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL, your guide to Central Asia’s breathtaking landscapes.
As of November 2025, Kyrgyzstan has entered “winter power-saving mode.” Energy-saving measures have been tightened in the capital Bishkek and in Osh, and it may become difficult for businesses to stay open after 10:00 p.m.
This could also affect how travelers spend their evenings, so here’s a roundup of the latest situation!
Why Kyrgyzstan Is Stepping Up Energy Saving Nationwide
This winter, Kyrgyzstan is stepping up power saving across the country.
The background is a serious electricity shortage.
The biggest factor is the low water level at the Toktogul Reservoir, the country’s largest source of hydropower (about 2 billion m³ less than last year).
President Sadyr Japarov has also addressed this officially, saying that “this winter it will be difficult to meet demand with domestic power generation alone.”
As a result, the government faces:
- A shortfall in domestic power generation
- A sharp rise in electricity demand in winter
- Electricity purchases from abroad (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, etc.)
- A heavier burden from additional budget spending
To address these challenges, power saving is being stepped up as national policy.
Sources:
Restaurants, Cafés, and Bars Expected to “Close at 10:00 p.m.” as a Rule
In Kyrgyzstan, to save energy and keep things quiet at night, a strong policy has been announced that restaurants, cafés, and bars should, in principle, close by 10:00 p.m.
After Mr. Tashiev of the State Committee instructed local governments to “refrain from operating after 10:00 p.m.,” some fairly strict enforcement was seen on the ground.
Later, the President said, “Don’t push small and medium-sized businesses too hard,” and excessive crackdowns have been eased, but the 10:00 p.m. closing policy itself remains in place.
For now, the situation is:
- Closing before 10:00 p.m. is being encouraged
- In practice, some places are still open
That’s where things stand.
Sources:
24.kg: Temporary closures in Osh and the President’s remarks
24.kg: Instructions restricting business after 10:00 p.m.
Households Also Asked to “Avoid Using Appliances During Peak Hours”
In Bishkek, households are now also being asked to save power.
In light of the winter electricity shortage, the power company (NESK) is asking people to do the following.
- Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances
- Cut standby power at night and when going out
- Seal drafts
- Don’t use electricity for heating (in apartment buildings)
In particular, people are being asked to avoid using large appliances during the peak hours of 6–9 a.m. and 6–9 p.m.
In some areas, contracted power is also being temporarily limited from “5 kW → 3 kW,” and “power-saving mode” is spreading even to the household level.
Sources:
[Sugi’s Local Report] The Internet Can Get Extremely Slow at Night…
Over the past few days, as a resident, I’ve really been feeling this “winter power-saving mode.”
I don’t go out much at night, so shops closing early hasn’t really been a problem for me, but what does bother me is the slower internet at night.
On some days, not only my home Wi-Fi but also my mobile data struggles to connect.
I use O! and Beeline, and on some days both become extremely slow at night.
Sometimes I try to study or work, but can’t get connected, so I just give up and go to bed.
I usually think of Bishkek as “a city that’s friendly to digital nomads,” but right now Kyrgyzstan is in a period of “getting through the winter while saving power.”
It may be best “not to expect too much” from the internet at night.
Advice for Travelers to Kyrgyzstan in Winter
Because of the power situation, Kyrgyzstan is currently in a period when evenings are a little different.
If you’re visiting soon, keep the following points in mind.
① Have dinner early
More places may close before 10:00 p.m., so we recommend starting dinner around 7–8 p.m.
② Cafés and bars may not be open late at night
Early closing may be more noticeable in local neighborhoods, so plan ahead if you want to eat out late.
③ The internet may be slow at night
Depending on your hotel or SIM card, connections may be poor at night on some days.
It’s safer to take care of online meetings or large uploads during the day.
④ Choose hotels with “heating” and “Wi-Fi quality” in mind
These two points are very important in Kyrgyzstan in winter. Be sure to check the reviews too.
⑤ Voltage can occasionally be unstable in some areas
The lights may suddenly go out, but if you know in advance that “it might be a power shortage” and stay calm, there’s nothing to worry about.
Winter in Kyrgyzstan is a season of clear air and beautiful stars.
If you go in planning to enjoy “quiet evenings,” your trip will go more smoothly.
With ASHU TRAVEL, You Can Travel with Peace of Mind, Adapted to Local Conditions
Winter in Kyrgyzstan brings many local changes, starting with the power situation.
That’s exactly when traveling with a company that knows the area well pays off most.
Because ASHU TRAVEL is
a local travel company founded by Kyrgyz people, we can flexibly adjust how your trip runs based on the latest news and conditions in Central Asia.
- Accompanied by a Japanese- or English-speaking guide, so there’s no need to worry about language
- All meals, accommodation, and transfers are included, so first-timers can travel with confidence
- We take you to scenery you won’t find at the usual tourist spots, for “deep experiences” of nomadic culture
Winter in Kyrgyzstan is a season of crystal-clear air, with beautiful starry skies and snowy landscapes.
Taking the latest conditions into account, we offer trips that let you enjoy Central Asia with peace of mind.
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