Prospects for the development of "green" energy in Central Asia
The development of renewable energy in the countries of Central Asia is uneven. Some states began to look closely at the opportunities that the use of alternative energy sources opens up for them a very long time ago, while others have just begun their “green” path.
For example, Kazakhstan has been paying enough attention to this issue for many years, Uzbekistan is also actively working in the field of renewable energy sources (RES), Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have mainly concentrated on hydropower; while in Turkmenistan, the field of alternative energy began to attract attention only in recent years.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, has all the conditions for the development of renewable energy, and the republic has understood this long ago. Kazakhstan adopted a law on supporting the development of renewable energy projects back in 2009. The first wind farm in Kazakhstan was built 12 years ago. In 2013, the republic adopted a concept for the transition to a “green” economy.
At the same time, Kazakhstan has large reserves of fairly cheap coal, in this regard, it accounts for most of the energy sector (up to 70% of electricity). But by 2060, the country's authorities intend to achieve carbon neutrality by gradually reducing dependence on coal: by 2030, it is planned to reduce the share of coal generation in Kazakhstan's energy balance to 40%. By the same year, the goal was set to bring the share of renewable energy to 15% from the current 3%, and by 2050 to 50%.
Although hydropower is the leader among RES in the country's energy balance, Kazakhstan has a huge potential for solar energy, the highest in the region. Prospects for the development of wind energy are also high. Bioenergy in the country is developing at a slower pace. Kazakhstan also sees prospects in the production of "green" hydrogen. Last year, Kazakhstan commissioned 12 renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 385 MW, and this year it is planned to commission 15 facilities. This is bearing fruit: in 2022, the share of renewable energy sources in electricity generation increased by 20%. It is also known that Masdar from the UAE will build a large wind farm in Kazakhstan, but construction will not begin soon - in 2025.
Uzbekistan
Although Uzbekistan has sufficient reserves of fuel and energy resources, especially natural gas, the country is actively developing renewable energy. The stake in the republic is on solar energy. In 2019, Uzbekistan adopted a law on the use of renewable energy sources. This laid the foundation for the development of the industry, including the development of projects and the attraction of foreign investors. Uzbekistan, the most populous Central Asian country, aims to reach the goal of providing 25% of its electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030.
Last year, the French Total Eren commissioned a 100 MW photovoltaic plant in the Samarkand region. The first such station in the country was launched by Masdar in 2021 in the Navoi region. This Arab company intends to complete the construction of three more solar plants in the republic with a total capacity of about 900 MW and a cost of about $1 billion by the end of 2023 in Samarkand, Jizzakh and Surkhandarya regions.
In general, in 2023, it is planned to launch seven new power plants in the republic: one thermal power plant, one wind, three solar and two hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 2910.6 MW. In 2022, 7 new power plants with a total capacity of 1,474 MW were also commissioned in Uzbekistan. It is planned that by the end of 2024, Masdar will also build a 250 MW solar plant in the Bukhara region. In addition, the GD Power consortium will build a 150 MW solar plant in the Namangan region, Voltalia SA - 100 MW in the Khorezm region. The commissioning of these plants is expected only in 2024. Masdar will also build a 500 MW wind farm in the Navoi region, which will be the largest such project in Central Asia. It will be put into operation by the end of 2024.
Tajikistan
Tajikistan has a huge hydropower potential, the highest among the countries of the region. The reserves of hydropower resources in the republic are estimated at 527 billion kWh per year. 98% of electricity in Tajikistan is produced by hydroelectric power plants. The country ranks sixth in the world in the production of green energy. Even last year, the record for the volume of electricity produced in Tajikistan was broken. Over the past 30 years, Tajikistan has built and modernized 287 large and small hydroelectric power plants, 50 substations, and also reconstructed 75% of the energy infrastructure. At the same time, solar and wind energy in the republic is almost not developing, but steps are planned in this direction, as well as in the field of geothermal energy and bioenergy.
Kyrgyzstan
In terms of hydropower reserves, Kyrgyzstan ranks second after Tajikistan, several hydroelectric power stations operate in the country, but only 10% of the potential is used. In the event of a drought, a country also dependent on hydroelectric power needs to develop other types of alternative energy sources.
According to the authorities, the republic has them, so it's only a matter of time, first of all it is necessary to attract investments. The first wind power plant in Kyrgyzstan with a capacity of 100 MW is being built in the Issyk-Kul region, and the first solar power plant with a capacity of 300 MW has also begun to be built there. In January of this year, Kyrgyzstan agreed with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on the joint construction of the Kambarata HPP-1 - upon successful completion, it will become the largest power plant in the country.
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan occupies a leading position in the Central Asian region in the export of gas and electricity. Electricity is produced mainly from natural gas. Last year, the presidential program for the socio-economic development of Turkmenistan in 2022–2028 was approved, within which the republic aimed at the widespread introduction of renewable energy sources in the future, including plans to launch domestic production of solar panels. The Turkish company Çalik Enerji Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. will build a 10 MW hybrid solar-wind power plant in Turkmenistan by 2024. A $25 million loan for the construction of the power plant was provided by the Abu Dhabi Development Fund. Last year, Turkmenistan agreed with Masdar to build a 100 MW solar photovoltaic power plant. The authorities of the republic also plan to invest in the hydrogen sector.
Although all countries in the region have developed strategies to increase energy capacity, their implementation is not in full scale yet, with the exception of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In the context of the ongoing energy crisis, the development of renewable energy will help the Central Asian countries meet the growing demand for energy, as well as avoid the negative impact of renewable energy use.
Bulletin of the Caucasus