Electricity - The Times Of Central Asia

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World Bank Approves $100 Million to Modernize Uzbekistan’s Power Grid

The World Bank has approved a $100 million credit to support the modernization of Uzbekistan’s electricity distribution system and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources. Uzbekistan’s Regional Electric Power Networks (REPN) will contribute an additional $50 million to the initiative, marking the country’s first use of the World Bank’s Program-for-Results (PforR) financing model. Uzbekistan’s aging power distribution infrastructure poses serious challenges. Over 50% of the network is more than 30 years old and suffers from significant inefficiencies. As of 2024, technical issues contribute to the loss of approximately 13% of electricity, resulting in frequent outages across the country. The government has set a target of installing 25 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030. However, experts warn that without immediate upgrades to the national grid, Uzbekistan’s infrastructure will be unable to accommodate this expansion. In addition to technical improvements, the government is working to reduce commercial losses and enhance the financial viability of the electricity sector to attract private investment. Tatiana Proskuryakova, World Bank Country Director for Central Asia, highlighted the scale of the challenge. “The total investment needed is about $3 billion. We hope other development partners and private investors will join us in supporting REPN in this crucial effort,” she said. The combined $150 million from the World Bank and REPN will be deployed over the next five years to upgrade and expand infrastructure, particularly in regions such as Karakalpakstan and Surkhandarya. Planned improvements include: Construction or modernization of 6,000 kilometers of power lines Installation of 1,200 transformers Connection of 150,000 smart meters Deployment of 4,000 data concentrators to improve automation The program also aims to enhance REPN’s operational and financial management. It includes the development of advanced planning methodologies, strengthened financial oversight, and support for corporate governance reforms. By 2029, the initiative is expected to increase customer satisfaction, reduce annual CO₂ emissions by up to 450,000 tons, and raise the proportion of women in technical and leadership roles from 9% to 14%. Earlier this year, the World Bank also approved $153 million in support of a project aimed at reforestation and combating land degradation in Uzbekistan, as part of a broader regional climate resilience program.

Energy Forecast Electricity Power deficit Energy deficit Power Plant

Kazakhstan Faces Record Power Deficit as Electricity Shortfall Hits 2.4 Billion kWh

Kazakhstan has experienced its most significant electricity imbalance in recent years. According to data from Energyprom.kz, the gap between electricity production and consumption reached 2.4 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2024, an increase of 200 million kWh from 2023, when the shortfall stood at 2.2 billion kWh. While the country’s total generation amounted to 117.9 billion kWh, domestic consumption exceeded 120.4 billion kWh. Imports Offset Domestic Shortfalls To address this growing energy deficit, Kazakhstan primarily imports electricity from Russia. Smaller volumes are supplied by Kyrgyzstan, although these are typically part of Russian transit deliveries to Kyrgyz consumers. Despite these imports, domestic electricity generation continues to grow at a modest pace. In 2024, total generation rose by 4.2%, with a 3% year-on-year increase recorded in the first two months of 2025. Nevertheless, the production boost has not been sufficient to meet demand, necessitating continued reliance on external suppliers. Decline in Coal Dependence One notable trend is the gradual reduction in Kazakhstan’s dependence on coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs), traditionally among the most polluting energy sources. In 2024, the share of coal-fired generation declined from 77.4% to 74.9%, equivalent to approximately 88.4 billion kWh of total output. In contrast, the share of alternative power sources increased. Hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) contributed 9.5% of total generation, up 1.8 percentage points year-on-year, while gas turbine power plants (GTPPs) accounted for 10.1%, a 0.3-point increase. Renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and biogas, produced 6.4 billion kWh, representing 5.4% of total electricity output. Revised Forecasts and Growing Challenges The Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan has updated its projections to reflect the sector’s challenges. As of early 2025, officials estimate the country’s electricity deficit could grow to 5.7 billion kWh by year-end. This revision stems from downgraded forecasts for generation volumes, which are now projected at 117.1 billion kWh, down from an earlier estimate of 121.8 billion kWh. Expectations for the commissioning of new generation capacity have also been lowered, further exacerbating the shortfall. Nonetheless, government planners remain cautiously optimistic. If several large-scale energy projects move forward on schedule, the deficit could shrink to 2.6 billion kWh by the end of 2026. A full build-out of planned capacity could even lead to a surplus. New Capacity and Long-Term Plans The government has outlined plans to construct 59 new energy facilities with a combined capacity of 26.4 gigawatts (GW). These include both new builds and upgrades to existing plants. Major initiatives involve constructing a nuclear power plant (2.4 GW) and a third state district power station (GRES-3) with 2.6 GW of capacity. Additionally, 11 regional centers are set to receive combined-cycle gas turbines with a total capacity of 4.5 GW. Renewable energy is also a key focus. By 2029, Kazakhstan aims to commission four large wind power plants equipped with energy storage systems, totaling 3.8 GW in capacity. These projects are being developed through intergovernmental agreements with investors from the United Arab Emirates, France, and China.

Import Rogun HPP Electricity supply Bilateral Cooperation Electricity

Kazakhstan to Import Electricity from Tajikistan to Address Energy Shortages

Kazakhstan and Tajikistan have signed an agreement on long-term cooperation in the energy sector. The agreement will remain in effect for 20 years, with the possibility of a 10-year extension. The document aims to strengthen energy security, promote environmentally friendly technologies, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Monitoring and telemetry Under the agreement, Kazakhstan will receive scheduled electricity supplies from Tajikistan, particularly from the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP). These imports are intended to cover planned shortages in the North-South zone of Kazakhstan’s unified power system. The price is set at $0.034 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), including VAT at a zero rate. The agreement also includes the introduction of hourly electricity metering at connection points between Kazakhstan's and Central Asia’s power grids, as well as along the Tajik border. Kazakhstan's system operator, KEGOC JSC, will receive real-time telemetry data from Tajikistan via interstate transmission lines to ensure accurate metering and efficient coordination. Electricity deliveries will follow the routes specified in the purchase agreements. The primary source will be the Rogun HPP, with supplies timed to match Kazakhstan's peak shortage periods. A long-awaited step Energy cooperation between the two countries has been under discussion for some time. In August 2024, former Kazakh Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev held talks on importing electricity from Tajikistan. These discussions also addressed the issue of unscheduled electricity flows between their power grids. By December 2024, plans were already in place to finalize a 20-year agreement. In February 2025, the deal was confirmed during talks between Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu and his Tajik counterpart, Sirojiddin Mukhriddin. “We agree that Tajik-Kazakh energy cooperation has broad prospects. We have agreed that an intergovernmental agreement on electricity will be signed in the very near future,” the Tajik foreign minister said at the time. The potential of the Rogun HPP and prospects for Kazakhstan A key element of the agreement will be the Rogun hydroelectric power plant on the Vakhsh River. Once completed, its dam will reach a height of 335 meters, making it the tallest in the world. The power plant will have a capacity of 3,600 MW, making it the largest power plant in Central Asia. This makes the project strategically important not only for Tajikistan but for the entire region. The official website of the Rogun HPP states that the facility will be the upper stage of the Vakhsh cascade and will play a key role in ensuring sustainable energy supplies. The agreement is expected to not only enable Kazakhstan to stabilize its energy balance during peak loads, but also open up new opportunities for cross-border cooperation. With the growing demand for green energy, the strategic alliance with Tajikistan could become an important element of the country's energy transition. The resolution enters into force on the day of its signing and effectively launches an intergovernmental mechanism capable of strengthening Kazakhstan's energy security for decades to come.

Electricity Datka-Sughd South Asia Export Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Move Closer to Electricity Exports to South Asia

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have officially launched the 500 kV Datka-Sughd overhead power transmission line, a key component of the CASA-1000 (Central Asia-South Asia) electricity transmission project. The initiative is designed to export surplus summer electricity from the two Central Asian countries to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The 485-kilometer line, which connects the Datka substation in Kyrgyzstan with the Sughd substation in Tajikistan, was inaugurated on March 31 during Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov’s visit to the Tajik city of Khujand. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon also attended the ceremony. The new line enables bidirectional power flows, significantly enhancing the resilience and stability of Central Asia’s power grid. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy, both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have completed their respective infrastructure components of the CASA-1000 project. Project Progress and Timeline In Pakistan, construction is expected to be completed by August 2025. In Afghanistan, where work had stalled, construction has now resumed. Over 95% of the necessary materials have already been delivered to the country. Full completion of the Afghan section and the start of commercial operations are expected in 2027. The CASA-1000 project, with a total cost exceeding $1.2 billion, is financed by the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Islamic Development Bank, and other international partners. The Kyrgyz and Tajik sections alone accounted for approximately $544 million, or 45.3% of the total project budget. Once fully operational, CASA-1000 will have the capacity to transmit up to 11 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Economic and Regional Impact Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are expected to jointly export up to 5 billion kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually to Pakistan, roughly 5% of Pakistan’s total electricity consumption. The projected revenue from these exports is over $250 million per year for the two countries. The successful implementation of CASA-1000 not only promises economic benefits for Central Asia but also marks a significant step in regional energy cooperation, renewable energy deployment, and cross-border infrastructure integration.

Uzbekistan to Generate Electricity from Household Waste

Uzbekistan is advancing plans to build waste-to-energy (WTE) plants across several regions as part of a broader strategy to improve waste management and generate electricity. Presidential decrees have approved investment projects in Tashkent and the regions of Andijan, Namangan, Ferghana, Tashkent, Kashkadarya, and Samarkand. These projects aim to modernize the country’s waste processing infrastructure while enhancing environmental sustainability and attracting direct investment into the energy and utilities sectors. Under the agreements, project companies will supply the electricity generated from waste to “Uzenergosotish” JSC through 30-year guaranteed purchase contracts. Equipment launches are scheduled between 2025 and 2027, with the following projected processing capacities: Tashkent Region: 2,500 tons of waste processed daily, generating 390 million kWh annually Andijan Region: 1,500 tons for 240 million kWh Kashkadarya Region: 1,500 tons for 240 million kWh Samarkand Region: 1,500 tons for 240 million kWh Namangan Region: 1,500 tons for 227.5 million kWh Ferghana Region: 1,500 tons for 227.5 million kWh Global Models for Waste-to-Energy The concept of converting household waste into energy is widely used in countries with advanced waste management systems. Sweden, for instance, has developed a highly efficient WTE infrastructure that provides heating to over 1 million households and electricity to approximately 680,000 homes. As of 2013, the country was importing roughly 800,000 tons of waste annually from neighboring states to meet the fuel demands of its power plants. Japan has also embraced WTE technology, largely due to its limited landfill capacity. By 2020, Japanese incineration plants had a combined power generation capacity of approximately 2,200 megawatts, contributing significantly to the national grid. Challenges and Considerations Despite its promise, WTE technology is not without challenges. If not properly managed, waste incineration can result in harmful emissions and air pollution. Ensuring that Uzbekistan’s facilities meet modern environmental standards will be critical to the success and sustainability of the initiative. The government’s move reflects a growing recognition of the need for cleaner, more sustainable energy sources while addressing the persistent issue of urban waste. If implemented effectively, these projects could mark a significant step toward Uzbekistan's green energy transition.