The Central Asian energy sector, although with large renewable energy potential, is inactive dependent on fossil fuels. The global Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has published the latest yearly statistical study on renewable energy sources (RES) in the world.
IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) is an intergovernmental organization based in Abu Dhabi, founded in 2009 to support all forms of renewable energy. The organization brings together 170 countries, including all Central Asian countries. Another 14 countries are in the process of accession.
According to published figures, Central Asia has achieved any success in the transition to green energy from 2015 to 2012, but the energy sector remains mostly "red". Only a fewer countries in the region have demonstrated a systematic approach to the transition to renewable energy sources, while others are limited to tiny steps. The full installed capacity of renewable energy sources in the region in 2024 was 19,583 MW (including 2 MW in Turkmenistan), an increase of only 47% compared to 2015.
This is despite the fact that on the full continent (Asia) the combined installed capacity of RES installations increased 3 times (from 722.7 GW in 2015 to 2382 GW in 2024), and twice worldwide.
Uzbekistan achieved the highest increase in renewable energy capacity among Central Asian countries – more than twice. specified a crucial increase is due to the construction of fresh solar power plants (total capacity 2275 MW), hydropower plants (511 MW) and wind power plants (500 MW). The share of renewable energy sources in the country's full electricity capacity increased from 14.2% to 24.4% during this period.
Kazakhstan besides importantly increased the capacity of renewable energy sources – 93.1% (from 2807 MW in 2015 to 5419 MW in 2024). The increase was mainly achieved by the construction of fresh wind turbines (1336 MW), solar power plants (1139 MW) and hydroelectric power plants (132 MW). The share of renewable energy sources in the country's full electricity capacity increased from 13.2% in 2015 to 22% in 2024.
Tajikistan remains the leader in the usage of renewable energy sources in the region, despite the fact that the state managed to increase this capacity only by 15.8%, from 4957 MW to 5738 MW in 2015–2024. The producers of green energy in this country are hydroelectric plants. The share of renewable energy sources, according to IRENA, decreased from 92.2% in 2015 to 88.9%. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy of Tajikistan claims that the country presently produces 98% of electricity from hydroelectric sources and ranks sixth worldwide in terms of production sharerenewable energy. According to the statistic of the country, in 2024 92.6% of electricity was produced in hydropower plants and a tiny part (only 1.2 million kWh) in solar power plants.
According to IREN, the installed capacity of renewable energy sources in Kyrgyzstan fell (by 11.4%) from 3677 MW in 2015 to 3258 MW in 2024. This is related to the exclusion from the operation of certain hydroelectric plants. The share of green energy in the country's full electricity output fell from 85.3% in 2015 to 77.9% in 2024.
Central Asia is considered to be a region with a advanced possible for renewable energy sources, from hydro and solar energy to wind and geothermal energy. Due to their geographical location, a large number of sunny days, the presence of mountain rivers and vast plains, the countries of the region have the essential natural conditions for sustainable energy development. According to investigation from the University of Central Asia, the method hydroelectric possible of the countries of the region is about 542 billion kilowatt hours per year. Despite awesome volumes, much of the possible remains unused. According to authoritative data, Tajikistan uses only about 5% of potential, and in Kyrgyzstan just over 10%.
Solar energy is another promising area. comparatively advanced method possible was recorded in Kazakhstan – up to 3.76 million MW. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan can make up to 180 and 210 1000 MW respectively. In Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, these indicators are lower but inactive advanced adequate to cover local energy demand. Wind energy is represented unevenly: Kazakhstan has the top possible again – up to 354 1000 MW. In Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and any regions of Kyrgyzstan there are local areas with favourable conditions, but they are inactive under-used.
With respect to geothermal energy, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have the top possible – up to 54 1000 and 1 1000 MW respectively.
Despite its tremendous potential, the real share of renewable energy sources in Central Asian energy balance remains highly low. Experts are key obstacles to outdated infrastructure, insufficient interregional coordination, weak legal framework and limited access to investment. Experts besides say that without targeted policies, organization support and global funding, the realisation of the region's energy possible will advancement highly slowly, althoughIn the context of global climate challenges and the desire to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, the countries of the region have the chance to take an crucial place in the energy transition of Eurasia.
Source: Asia Plus
BIS improvement – survey Bulletin
