Driving the green energy transition in Central Asia

Context

The five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan face major environmental challenges, including pollution and the impacts of climate change. Moreover, the countries rely on fossil fuels so fluctuating energy prices further exacerbate geopolitical tensions and economic instability. Enormous potential for renewable energies, especially for solar and wind power, remains untapped.

Objective

Conditions for the regional expansion and feed-in of renewable energies into the electricity grids of Central Asia have improved.

Approach

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU) have been cofinancing the project since 2025. Together with the energy ministries of the cooperating countries, the project has five priority areas:

1. Developing coordinated strategies: The project organises study trips, conducts workshops, analyses regulatory frameworks, promotes digitalisation and provides advisory services for ministries.
2. Improving legal and institutional conditions: The project formulates national regulatory frameworks and strategies and creates incentives for public and private investment.
3. Supporting research institutions: The project improves the analytical capabilities of research institutions and networks researchers.
4. Raising awareness through information campaigns: The project plans and implements national gender-sensitive information campaigns on the potential of renewable energies, energy efficiency and digitalisation.
5. Promoting political, cross-border dialogue: The project promotes regional energy cooperation, cross-border collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and best practices.

Last updated: February 2025