Electricity supply - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kazakhstan’s Return to Nuclear Power: TCA in Association with American Foreign Policy Council Hosts Inaugural Burgut Expert Talk

On October 6 of this year, the people of Kazakhstan participated in a referendum to decide whether nuclear power should become a part of their daily lives, or whether the haunting legacy of atomic testing would continue to limit the country’s progress in this area. The official preliminary results, released on October 7, showed that 71.12% of participants agreed to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan with a voter turnout of 63.66%. President Tokayev’s goal in holding a referendum was to ensure that arguments in favor of nuclear energy were compelling, and that citizens, scientists, and government officials were involved in the decision-making process. Tokayev has since suggested that an “international consortium made up of global companies equipped with cutting-edge technologies” should be involved in the project. In partnership with the American Foreign Policy Council, on October 30, 2024, The Times of Central Asia convened a virtual event to discuss what the referendum result means for energy security, geopolitics, and new business opportunities for both regional and global actors. Moderating this event was Mamuka Tsereteli, Senior Fellow for Eurasia at the American Foreign Policy Council, whilst the panel comprised Askar Alimzhanov, Senior Editor at The Times of Central Asia, Stephen M. Bland, Senior Editor and Head of Investigations at The Times of Central Asia, and James Walker, CEO and Head of Reactor Development at NANO Nuclear Energy. Focusing on a local perspective, Askar Alimzhanov told those in attendance that “Kazakhstan is in tough situation today regarding the issue of energy dependence. Because we have the largest nuclear test site in the world and during around 50 years there were just under 500 atomic tests, we all know about the possible consequence. As consumers, however, we’ve seen prices rise around 26% in one year. The population of the country is growing, so when we talk about the annual growth in energy consumption, this is a natural process. “Since the majority of voters have already made their decision, the main question which remains is who will build it? However, serious concerns persist within society including the fear of corruption, which can result in poor quality structures. As an example, we can talk about the light rail transportation network in Astana, which started in 2009 and still isn’t finished. The officials who stole the money, they still have those funds abroad.” [video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://timesca.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Burgut-Expert-Talk-Kazakhstans-Return-to-Nuclear-Power1.mp4"][/video] Speaking about energy dependence and geopolitical considerations, Stephen M. Bland noted that “Kazakhstan's energy landscape is characterized by a reliance on aging thermal power plants, which are increasingly unable to meet the demands of a growing population and economy, with electricity shortages projected to worsen, particularly in the rapidly developing southern regions. The construction of a nuclear power plant, therefore, is seen as a crucial step toward alleviating these shortages, reducing dependence on overpriced imports from Russia, and achieving carbon neutrality goals. “The construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant presents both challenges and opportunities for the country's energy independence and regional influence. On one hand, developing a robust nuclear energy sector could...

Energy Security HPP Electricity supply Power generation Energy

Despite High Water Levels in Kyrgyzstan’s Toktogul Reservoir, Electricity Shortages Persist

Despite an increase in water levels at Kyrgyzstan’s Toktogul hydroelectric power plant (HPP) reservoir this year, the country continues to face electricity shortages, Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev said in an interview with Birinchi Radio. Located on the Naryn River, the Toktogul HPP is Kyrgyzstan’s largest power plant, providing around 40% of the country’s electricity. As of October 1, 2024, the water volume in the Toktogul reservoir reached 13.033 billion cubic meters, approximately 1.3 billion cubic meters more than the previous year. The reservoir currently receives 365 cubic meters of water per second while releasing 284 cubic meters per second for power generation. "Despite the increased water levels in 2024, we are still facing an electricity deficit of about 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours," Minister Ibrayev stated. To address the deficit, Kyrgyzstan is working to expand its energy capacity by building small and large hydroelectric plants. "In the past, small hydroelectric plants produced around 200-300 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This figure has now increased to 750 million kilowatt-hours," Ibrayev explained. He also noted that the country’s electricity consumption has risen by 400 million kilowatt-hours this year, driven by the launch of new industrial enterprises. According to the National Statistics Committee, Kyrgyzstan generated 13.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2023, with hydropower plants accounting for approximately 87% of total electricity production. In 2023, Kyrgyzstan met 80% of its electricity demand, which totalled 17.2 billion kilowatt-hours. The remaining 20%, or 3.4 billion kilowatt-hours, was imported. To help reduce reliance on imports, an agreement was signed between Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan in May 2023 for the supply of 1.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity from Turkmenistan, starting on January 1, 2025.

Electricity supply Energy statistics Bilateral Cooperation Economy Afghanistan Energy

Afghanistan Increases Electricity Imports from Turkmenistan With New Substation

Afghanistan is on track to increase its electricity imports from Turkmenistan significantly. According to a spokesman from Afghanistan's Ministry of Energy and Water, Matiullah Abid, the 500-kilovolt Arghandi substation is expected to be completed in the next two months. Once the substation is completed, this project and other lines will allow Afghanistan to import up to 1,000 megawatts of electricity from Turkmenistan, alleviating the country’s chronic electricity shortage. Abid emphasized the rapid progress being made on the construction. Once the building phase is finished, electrical equipment installation will begin. According to the Afghan publication TOLOnews, the total cost of this project is $183 million, and it will be completed within two years. Afghanistan's acting Minister of Energy and Water, Abdul Latif Mansoor, stated that officials from the company investing in the Arghandi substation project emphasized that creating investment facilities is crucial for increasing the country's energy production capacity. In January of this year, the electricity company “Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat” (DABS) signed a contract with Turkmenistan to supply 1.8 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity to Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the electricity supply price from Turkmenistan is low.

Energy Legislation Social Solar Energy Electricity supply low income

Free Solar Panels for Uzbekistan’s Low Income Households

Uzbekistan has launched a program to install solar panels in the homes of low-income families in the Tashkent Oblast. The key aim of the initiative, implemented with the participation of ACWA Power, an enterprise engaged in regional energy projects, is to reduce electricity costs for vulnerable sectors of the population. Under the plan, some 20,000 low-income households, especially those with air conditioning, will receive free photovoltaic panels with a 1.5 to 2 kW capacity, to reduce energy costs during the summer. The project is part of the government's broader strategy to transition to renewable energy. The country has already taken steps in this direction, including the construction of solar and wind farms, which in recent years, have enabled Uzbekistan to reduce its electricity imports from more than 4 billion kWh to less than 3 billion kWh and even begin to export electricity. The initiative is also a continuation of the Solar Home Program which was introduced in 2023 to encourage the installation of solar panels in private households across the country.

Finance Investments Energy Central Asia Strategy Electricity supply Security

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Test Facilities Prior to Launch of CASA-1000

On August 9, Ministers of Energy of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan agreed to a plan to test overhead lines, transformers, and substations prior to launching the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1000) electricity transmission project, scheduled for completion by the end of 2024. The construction of a 500 kV transmission line with a length of 456 kilometers is now nearing completion in Kyrgyzstan. All of the supports have been installed and 428 km of the 456 km of the transmission line have been strung. The remaining section will be finished before the end of August 2024. The CASA-1000 project aims to connect the energy systems Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with those of Afghanistan and Pakistan and through the new infrastructure, transport 1,300 megawatts of surplus electricity from Central Asia to high-demand electricity markets in South Asia. With spring and summer rainfall and significant water flow from the mountains, hydropower-rich Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan produce surplus electricity during the summer. At the same time, neighboring South Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan experience chronic electricity shortages, especially during the summer months. By connecting the four countries through a shared electricity transmission system, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan can sell clean hydropower-produced surplus electricity in the summer months to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Energy Economy Electricity supply

How Limits on Electricity Use will Impact Uzbekistan

This year, Uzbekistan implemented reforms aimed at modernizing and optimizing energy consumption, including a new scheme introduced by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Entitled “Additional measures to introduce market mechanisms in the fuel and energy sector,” the scheme comprises a new pricing structure for fuel and energy resources for 2024-2025, alongside revised basic standards for monthly household electricity and natural gas consumption, starting May 1, 2024. Under the new regulations, residents must pay 450 UZS (3.6 cents) for each kilowatt used up to 200 kWh per month and 900 UZS (7.2 cents) for 201 kWh to 1,000 kWh per month. If energy consumption increases, the price changes accordingly. Household consumers living in apartment buildings and dormitories equipped with centralized electric plates for cooking will be charged 225 UZS (1.8 cents) for up to 200 kWh per month, from 201 kWh to 1,000 kWh – 450 UZS (3.6 cents). Negative reaction to the move has been widespread with numerous complaints posted on social networks such as Instagram and Facebook, demanding the cancellation of the limit of up to 200 kWh. One of the key protests is that the number of family members was not considered when setting the limit and that it will need to increase in the colder months of autumn-winter. Residents also commented they will need to save up to pay for their bills and one Facebook post commented that the 200-kWh limit should be cancelled or at least increased to 500 kWh. In response to public outcry, Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy issued an official statement announcing that there was no reason to revise its decision and reported that since 71% of the population consumed less than 200 kW of electricity in June, the limit was realistic. When interviewed by TCA on the situation, Umida Ahadova from the Navoi region, commented, “Four people live in our family, and electricity is mainly used for housework. Since it is summer, we often use the air conditioner to cool the house. But the electricity consumption rarely exceeds the set limit of 200 kW." Another interviewee Roziboyeva, who shares a rented house in Tashkent with seven friends said, “Eight girls have lived in a 3-room apartment for almost a year, but our energy consumption is only slightly more than 150 kW. That said, we don’t use air conditioners to heat and cool the house." According to the ministerial statement , 1 kWh of electricity costs 895 UZS (7.1 cents) (without VAT). The state reimburses 552.4 UZS (4.4 cents) for each kWh of electricity supplied to the population within the basic norm and 102.1 UZS (0.81 cents) from 201 kW to 1000 kWh. “It should be said that consumers' electricity savings have increased due to increasing tariffs, " claimed the ministry. " As a result, the load on the system is reduced, people’s electricity systems are cut, and accidents are also decreasing." Research conducted by Asia-Plus last year showed that Kazakhstan has the highest electricity tariff among Central Asian countries....