Driving the green energy transition in Central Asia

Context

The five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – face significant environmental challenges, including severe pollution and the growing impacts of climate change. Moreover, they rely on fossil fuels, and fluctuations in energy prices further escalate geopolitical tensions and cause economic instability. However, the region holds substantial untapped potential for renewable energy, particularly in solar and wind power, due to its favourable geographic and climatic conditions. Tapping into this potential is crucial for reducing carbon emissions, improving energy security, and stimulating economic growth in the region. Therefore, transitioning to renewable energy sources has become an urgent priority for these countries’ energy development.

Objective

Conditions for integrating renewable energy into the electricity grids of Central Asia have been improved.

Approach

The project focuses on four main areas:

1. Developing coordinated strategies: The project supports partners by creating and implementing strategies and routines for planning, monitoring, and managing the integration of renewable energy. This includes organising study tours, conducting workshops, analysing regulatory framework, promoting digitisation, and providing advice to ministries.
2. Enhancing legal and institutional conditions: By formulating national rulebooks and strategies, the project aims to improve the legal and institutional landscape. This initiative seeks to attract public and private investments in renewable energy, digitisation, and energy efficiency.
3. Empowering research institutions: The project works to boost the analytical capabilities of research institutions in energy systems and policy analysis. A regional network for energy system analysis network will be established to collaboratively develop green transformation and energy transition scenarios.
4. Raising awareness through information campaigns: The project plans and implements national, gender-sensitive information campaigns. These campaigns highlight the potential of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and digitalisation within the electricity industry.

Last update: August 2024