[Translation provided by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

The deterioration of cables was the cause of the accident at the largest hydroelectric power station in Kyrgyzstan, 30 December 2015

Two accidents at the largest Toktogul HPP in the Republic occurred due to the worn out condition of cable lines KL-500, the production of which has already been discontinued by the Russian manufacturer...

On December 23, the block transformer of the second hydraulic unit failed at the Toktogul HPP. Another accident occurred on December 28, due to which three generators were turned off. The power industry of Kyrgyzstan restored the supply of electricity on a temporary basis so that the population could celebrate the New Year. But they warned that from January 2, the mode of operation of the energy networks of the republic will be changed and restrictions will be introduced for consumers...

"Due to long-term operation - more than 40 years, with a standard period of 25 years, 500 kW cables are physically worn out and morally obsolete. Since 2004, the results of chromatographic analyzes of cable oil haver been showing periodic gas release above the permissible level on all four lines," the report says...