RENEWABLE ENERGY – RUSSIA-KYRGYZSTAN: POTENTIAL, CHALLENGES, AND PROSPECTS

Renewable energy sources (RES) have become an integral part of Russia's and Kyrgyzstan's energy sector in the context of limited natural resources and as a measure of adaptation to climate change. Despite the fact that currently the trend of using renewable energy sources in the country is only 1% of the total energy balance, Kyrgyzstan has significant potential for offloading hydroelectric power plants using alternative energy sources, provided that renewable energy technologies are properly installed and operated. Renewable energy sources (RES) have become an integral part of Kyrgyzstan's energy sector in the context of limited natural resources and as a measure of adaptation to climate change. With traditional natural resources scarce and the increasing impact of climate change, renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important in many countries, and they are gradually being integrated into their national energy mix. This article examines the potential for using alternative energy sources in the transition from traditional energy to clean technologies. The relevance of this topic is heightened by climate change and the depletion of traditional resources. The main part of the paper includes an overview of alternative energy sources, their advantages, and potential barriers and prospects for transitioning to alternative fuels for the economies of Russia and Kyrgyzstan. The article also analyzes the potential of renewable energy sources for the industrial sectors of both countries. Although their current contribution to the country's overall energy balance is just over 1%, with the right approach to the implementation and use of appropriate technologies, renewable energy sources can significantly reduce the load on existing hydroelectric power plants. Despite the insignificant share of renewable energy sources in the overall energy balance, Russia and Kyrgyzstan have significant potential to relieve hydroelectric power plants through alternative energy sources, provided that renewable energy technologies are properly implemented and operated. Russia and the Kyrgyz Republic have significant potential for developing alternative energy, which could play a significant role in ensuring the sustainability of the energy systems of both countries.