In 2023, smog levels in Bishkek showed positive dynamics: the air pollution rate declined by 10-15% compared to 2022. This was facilitated, among other things, by a decrease in coal consumption for residential heating to 58,000 tonnes in the first half of 2024, Tazabek reports.
Speaking at the press conference in Bishkek, Chairman of the department of ambient air of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan Nursultan Tashybek uulu noted that the major air pollution source in the capital is residential heating with coal.
The transition to gas heating is considered an eco-friendly solution. As of August 2024, over 25,000 households in Bishkek are connected to the gas grid. This became possible under the concessional lending programme for the installation of gas boilers that was launched in 2023. To date, one bank has issued over 100 loans and the other — 80 loans.
One of the major air pollution sources in Bishkek is residential heating — 29%. 27% comes from transport, about 21% come from dust brought by the wind from other regions. About 11% is emitted by thermal power plants and boiler houses, and 1,2% comes from waste incineration.
