The authorities in the central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan early last week introduced electricity rationing in response to severe energy shortages caused by an unusually cold winter, Irinnews reported. Following severe energy shortages caused by an unusually cold winter, the Kyrgyz authorities on March 11 announced that it has introduced electricity rationing.The country’s 5.3 million residents face blackouts six hours a day, while saunas and other businesses making intensive use of electricity will be cut off, the industry and Energy Ministry announced. “Now that the worst of the cold and electricity demand has peaked, we are forced to introduce such measures,” the ministry said in a statement. Customers with unpaid electricity bills will also be cut off.