Energy - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 392

Nuclear Plant Referendum in Kazakhstan Will Cost $33 Million

Kazakhstan's Central Election Commission (CEC) has announced that 15.5 billion tenge ($33 million) will be allocated to hold a referendum on constructing a nuclear power plant. CEC member Sabila Mustafina said the amount includes organizational costs and holding the referendum at 78 foreign polling stations in 63 countries. The main part of the funds — 71% — will be spent on labor remuneration for more than 77,000 election commission members. The referendum will be held on October 6. Kazakhstan's president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on holding the referendum on September 2, 2024. In his address, Tokayev emphasized that constructing nuclear power plants is a strategically important issue for the country. Tokayev noted the need to use reliable and environmentally friendly energy sources in the context of the global energy deficit. He emphasized that today, about 200 nuclear power plants operate in 30 developed and developing countries. Tokayev noted that it is vital for Kazakhstan to consider long-term national interests, environmental safety, and the population's needs, as well as the need to make thoughtful decisions on constructing nuclear power plants. The president also emphasized the importance of public support in making important decisions for the country. He said that the population should have a say in every step related to major infrastructure projects, such as the construction of nuclear plants. Discussions on constructing a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan have been ongoing for many years. The need for it first emerged after the closure of the Soviet reactor in Aktau in 1999.

Gas Natural gas Export of Natural Gas Oil and Gas Iran Energy

Turkmenistan and Iran to Expand Cooperation in Natural Gas and Transport

On August 28, the chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan, the country's former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, visited Iran and held talks with the Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran’s Press TV news agency quoted Pezeshkian as describing four memorandums of understanding signed during Berdimuhamedov’s visit as “strategic,” saying that a document signed between Iran's state gas companies and Turkmenistan will turn Iran into a regional gas transfer hub. No details of the document have been released. Turkmen media reported that Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed implementing joint projects with Iranian companies to increase the volume of gas supply to Iran to 40 billion cubic meters per year. The Turkmen side also reported that the talks in Tehran discussed exporting Turkmen electricity to Iran. Concerning cooperation in the transport sector, Berdimuhamedov urged increasing cargo transportation along the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway route, while the Iranian president proposed increasing cargo flows along the Armenia-Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan route. Turkmenistan and Iran have agreed to start negotiations for a comprehensive deal on transportation issues. The talks, expected to kick off next month, will be part of an intergovernmental committee chaired by Iran’s transportation minister.

Energy EBRD Economy Environment ADB Green Energy Green hydrogen

EBRD to Support Pilot Project for Renewable Hydrogen in Uzbekistan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will finance Central Asia's first renewable hydrogen production project in Uzbekistan. The project includes the installation of a 20 MW electrolyzer and constructing a new 52 MW wind farm. The EBRD is providing a $65 million (€58 million) financing package to ACWA Power UKS Green H2, which is developing, designing, constructing, and operating the facility. This company is jointly owned by ACWA Power and Uzkimyosanoat (UKS), a large state-owned chemical holding company. Financing includes a $55 million senior loan from the EBRD and $10 million in concessional financing from Canada through the High Impact Partnership on Climate Change Special Fund (HIPCA). The EBRD also plans to provide an equity bridge loan of up to $5.5 million (€4.9 million) and up to $5.5 million (€4.9 million) for the project. The project, supported by the Japan-EBRD Cooperation Fund, will help replace “grey” hydrogen, derived from natural gas and widely used in producing ammonia fertilizers in Uzbekistan, with renewable hydrogen. The latter is recognized as a critical alternative for decarbonizing the fertilizer sector. The facility is expected to make up to 3,000 tons of hydrogen annually, reducing annual CO2 emissions by 22,000 tons. The Bank also noted that Uzbekistan, the leading recipient of EBRD financing in Central Asia, has already received about €5 billion under 164 projects, most of which support private entrepreneurship. The Times of Central Asia has previously written that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced the launch of a five-year partnership strategy with Uzbekistan from 2024 to 2028. The strategy will support Uzbekistan's reforms in promoting the country's transition to a green economy, supporting private sector development and competitiveness, and stimulating investment in economic capital.

Uranium Energy Industry Bilateral Cooperation Rare Earth Elements Partnership International Relations

Kazakhstan and Tajikistan to Cooperate Over Rare-Earth Metals

Kazakhstan’s national atomic company, Kazatomprom, the world's largest producer of uranium, has announced a new strategic partnership with Tajikistan’s TajRedMet (Tajik Rare Metals) in the mining and processing of uranium and rare and rare-earth metals. According to the parties' agreement, the companies will collaborate in exploring, mining, and processing uranium and other rare and rare-earth metals, conducting research and development work, introducing innovative technologies, and training personnel. Meirzhan Yussupov, CEO of Kazatomprom, commented: “This step is of great importance for strengthening the partnership between our companies. Although it is too early to talk about specific results, we are focused on promising joint projects in the uranium industry and rare and rare-earth metals, which can significantly benefit Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.” As part of the agreement, TajRedMet representatives will soon visit Kazakhstan to inspect Kazatomprom's production facilities and assess the potential for further cooperation in more detail. According to an IAEA research paper, Tajikistan has significant mineral resources awaiting development, including rare metals, earth elements, and uranium. Several countries have expressed interest in the development of Tajikistan’s uranium resources. Russia was considering assisting Tajikistan in developing its uranium resources, as well as assisting in geological prospecting, with the aim of involvement in the subsequent extraction and possible processing of uranium. China’s Guangdong Corporation has also expressed an interest in participating in projects to develop Tajik uranium deposits. The Tajik government has also agreed to allow Indian companies to explore for uranium mineralization. In his address to parliament in December 2023, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon ordered the government to focus on mining lithium, tungsten, nickel, and antimony, and develop a program for processing these metals domestically into finished products.

Government Nuclear Energy Atomic Energy Industry Energy Referendum

Kazakhstan Officially Backs Nuclear Power Referendum

The government of Kazakhstan has approved a draft resolution to hold a national referendum on constructing a nuclear power plant (NPP). The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, discussed the prospects for developing nuclear energy in the country. Energy Minister. Almasadam Satkaliyev noted that the referendum will allow Kazakhstanis to make an important decision about the future of the country's energy security. Bektenov emphasized that Kazakhstan has mastered almost the entire cycle of nuclear fuel production and has experience with small reactors. However, the current shortage of energy capacity requires new solutions to avoid purchasing electricity from abroad. With the global abandonment of coal-fired power plants and the limited potential of renewable energy sources, the development of nuclear power is the most promising direction. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, 415 nuclear power units operate worldwide, and 61 new units are under construction in 15 countries, including China and the UK. With its significant uranium resource base, Kazakhstan can ensure stable electricity tariffs and independence from raw material price fluctuations. Modern NPPs have a multi-level safety system that meets IAEA international standards. According to Bektenov, nuclear power should become the basis for Kazakhstan's energy-intensive economy, stimulating innovation and industry development. The draft resolution was supported unanimously. The Ministry of Energy and the Government Office were instructed to submit a draft decree to the Presidential Administration. Talks on constructing a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan have been ongoing for many years; the idea of the need for a nuclear power plant first appeared after the closure of the Soviet reactor in Aktau in 1999. Since then, the country has repeatedly raised questions about the development of nuclear power, especially in the context of improving energy security and climate change resilience. However, public opinion remains divided; many people in the country remember the consequences of nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk test site and fear environmental risks. In 2021, discussions about constructing a nuclear power plant intensified when a possible site for Kazakhstan's first atomic power plant began to be considered in Almaty Oblast, near the village of Ulken. These plans sparked lively public debate and protests among residents and environmentalists. President Kassandra-Jomart Tokayev proposed a national referendum to give citizens a say on this critical issue.

Energy Afghanistan Industry International Relations Economic Cooperation Bilateral Relations

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan To Work Together on Mining Projects

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have signed five agreements related to mining projects in Afghanistan. The agreements are for the exploration of hydrocarbon fields in the Afghan-Tajik oil and gas basin, the development of copper and gold deposits in the Qandaran district of Zabul province, iron extraction in the Hesh district of Bamyan province, and hydrocarbon resources in the Tuti-Maidan district of Faryab province. There are also plans to build a 120-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Faryab province. These agreements, totaling $1.15 billion, were part of a more comprehensive package of 35 agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries. These agreements amount to an Uzbek investment in Afghanistan of over $2.5 billion. The latest round of cooperation points to the strengthening of economic ties between Tashkent and Kabul, which is especially important given the region's current geopolitical challenges and financial instability. These agreements can also significantly impact Afghanistan's economic development by providing needed resources and creating jobs in crucial regions of the country.