Uzbekistan recorded 4.3% growth, Tajikistan 3.3% while Kazakhstan had the lowest growth rate at 1.9%
Bishkek
All Central Asian countries have registered an increase in electricity generation during the first half of 2023.
Kyrgyzstan achieved the highest volume of electricity generation, with a growth rate of 14%. Turkmenistan is second with 6.7% growth, than Uzbekistan with 4.3%, and Tajikistan with 3.3%. Kazakhstan had the lowest growth rate at 1.9%. This information was reported by the Eurasian Development Bank, Akchabar reports.
Despite the significant increase in electricity generation in 2023, the Kyrgyzstan government has decided to impose a state of emergency in the energy sector from August 1 of the current year until 2026.
Uzbekistan faced the most severe winter period during 2022-2023 and was compelled to import energy resources, including electricity, from neighboring countries.
The region’s population has been steadily growing over the past decades and has now reached 80 million people. Concurrently, the industrial sector in the region is rapidly developing, leading to the existing energy capacities in the countries becoming insufficient due to the rising demand for electricity.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan increased their electricity generation by utilizing mostly their hydro resources. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan generate electricity using thermal power plants that rely on natural gas.
Uzbekistan, being the most populous country in the region, also relies on natural gas for electricity generation. However, the gas reserves are not enough to fully meet the electricity demand, resulting in the country having to import electricity from its neighbors. Furthermore, Uzbekistan is actively moving forward with the construction of an atomic power station, which is considered a viable option to address the energy needs.
However, certain reports suggest that North of Tajikistan experiences power shortage for the first time.
The northern region of Tajikistan is experiencing a severe shortage of electricity this summer. The electricity shortage in the Sughd Region is attributed to increased consumption due to the hot weather in recent weeks, as stated by Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Daler Juma, in a press conference in Dushanbe, reported by Asiainfortj.info.
In some areas, the minister mentioned that pumping stations are intensively working to meet the irrigation water demands.
To stabilize the energy supply situation in the region, various measures are being taken, including the import of electricity from neighboring Uzbekistan. Starting from August 1st, there will be an increased export of Tajik electricity through southwestern power transmission lines to Uzbekistan, and parallelly, electricity supplies from Uzbekistan to northern Tajikistan will begin.
For the future energy supply of the Sughd Region, some projects are planned, including the construction of a new power transmission line.
Overall, an electricity deficit during the summer period is unusual for Tajikistan, as approximately 95% of the country’s electricity is generated by hydroelectric power plants, and water resource shortages during this period have not been observed.
During the summer, Tajikistan usually exports excess electricity to neighboring countries. According to data from the Ministry of Energy, in the first half of this year, Tajikistan exported around 974 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. Particularly, over 684 million kilowatt-hours of energy were supplied to Afghanistan, and about 289 million kilowatt-hours to Uzbekistan.
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Courtesy: Central Asia Light (Posted on July 31, 2023)
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