Infrastructure - The Times Of Central Asia

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Natural gas

Outdated Infrastructure Threatens Central Asia’s Energy Security

Central Asia’s natural gas sector is facing mounting pressure as population growth and rising consumption outpace production, SpecialEurasia reports. The region’s population now exceeds 70 million, with annual growth rates surpassing 2% in many republics. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan together account for more than 95% of Central Asia’s gas reserves. Combined, they hold approximately 3.5 trillion cubic meters (tcm) of proven reserves. Turkmenistan alone possesses an estimated 17 tcm, giving it the world’s fourth-largest proven gas reserves outside the Middle East and Russia. Despite these substantial reserves, aging infrastructure and insufficient investment continue to hamper production capacity. Kazakhstan produces around 59 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually, Uzbekistan 45 bcm, and Turkmenistan 81 bcm. However, surging domestic demand has outstripped supply, compelling Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to import gas from Russia, a dependency that dates back to the 1990s but is becoming increasingly fraught amid current geopolitical tensions. Much of the region’s pipeline infrastructure remains from the Soviet era and lacks the capacity to meet contemporary needs, according to SpecialEurasia. Turkmenistan remains heavily reliant on a single pipeline route to Russia, while Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan depend on Russian energy giants Gazprom and Rosneft for imports and infrastructure maintenance. Efforts to diversify export routes beyond Russia have encountered difficulties due to limited infrastructure and geopolitical uncertainty. China has emerged as a dominant player in the region, funding pipeline and transportation projects through the Belt and Road Initiative. These investments have enhanced connectivity with Chinese markets but have also increased Central Asia’s economic dependence on Beijing. Meanwhile, the European Union has advocated for green energy and digitization, though its financial commitments remain modest compared to those of Russia and China. Iran is positioning itself as a potential transit corridor, offering Central Asia access to seaports. However, international sanctions and persistent geopolitical tensions continue to limit broader cooperation. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further strained Moscow’s regional relationships, diminishing its capacity to provide the kind of support it once did. Central Asian governments now face the challenge of maintaining a strategic balance among Russia, China, and Western powers to ensure both economic resilience and political autonomy. SpecialEurasia concludes that without substantial investment in infrastructure, greater economic diversification, and a more balanced approach to foreign partnerships, Central Asia will remain vulnerable despite its abundant natural gas resources.

Irrigation System

Kyrgyzstan Restores Irrigation System Amid Growing Water Demand

In the dry and hot year of 2025, Kyrgyz farmers received one billion cubic meters more water than in 2024, according to the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry. Despite the challenging weather conditions, 7 billion cubic meters of water were delivered during the growing season, enabling the irrigation of over 1.1 million hectares of agricultural land. Chronic water shortages during the irrigation season have long plagued Kyrgyzstan's agriculture, frequently sparking disputes in rural areas. The primary cause is the aging irrigation infrastructure, much of it dating back to the Soviet era. Many canals are clogged or damaged, leading to significant water losses. In 2025, the ministry reported that 429.5 kilometers of canals were repaired and cleaned, alongside the restoration of 302 hydraulic structures, 123 water gauges, 91 pumping stations, and 156 pumping units. Nine units were fully replaced, and 53.5 kilometers of collector and drainage systems were cleaned. To modernize the network, the government plans to construct 106 daily and ten-day water regulation basins by 2030. These facilities are intended to improve water storage and distribution across farms. Ten basins have already been commissioned this year, with 12 more under construction. Officials are also combining modern and traditional solutions to address irrigation challenges. Sprinkler systems, popular in the 1980s, are being revived due to their efficiency, they require 500 to 1,000 cubic meters of water per hectare, compared to two to three times more with the traditional ary system. However, most farmers continue to rely on the ary method due to the high cost of sprinkler and drip irrigation equipment. According to the ministry, drip and sprinkler systems are now in use on 8,365 hectares: 1,702 hectares on state-owned land and 6,663 hectares on private farms. Restoration of old wells and construction of new canals also continue. This year, work began on a plant to manufacture concrete linings for irrigation canals, with a target of producing 500,000 square meters of concrete canal linings in 2025.

Infrastructure

AIIB and Tajikistan Sign First Grant Agreement for Obigarm–Nurobod Road Project

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Tajikistan have signed a $2.04 million Project-Specific Window (PSW) Grant Agreement to support the Obigarm–Nurobod Road Project – Long Bridge and Approaches. This marks AIIB’s first PSW grant, a significant milestone in its efforts to mobilize blended finance for development impact. The Obigarm–Nurobod Road Project aims to restore critical connectivity along a 75-kilometer section of the M41 Highway in central Tajikistan. This section, located in the mountain range north of the Vahdat River Valley, was disrupted by the reservoir impoundment of the Rogun Hydropower Plant. The project is expected to enhance regional connectivity and improve access for communities in the affected areas. The agreement was signed at AIIB Headquarters in Beijing by Fayziddin Qahhorzoda, Tajikistan’s Minister of Finance, and Konstantin Limitovskiy, AIIB’s Chief Investment Officer. Representatives from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), which funds the grant, also attended the ceremony. “This first PSW grant is an important step in AIIB’s journey to scale impact through blended finance,” said Limitovskiy. “By combining infrastructure investment with local skills development and inclusive programming, we aim to deliver long-term benefits for communities, especially women and youth in project-affected areas. The PSW grant, funded by CIDCA, will focus on strengthening local capacity and promoting inclusive development. Key initiatives include: Technical and Vocational Training: Programs for infrastructure professionals and construction workers. Community Training Centers: Facilities aimed at empowering women through skills development. Entrepreneurship Support: Initiatives to improve livelihoods and promote economic empowerment in affected areas.

public transport

South Korea to Support Electric Transport Infrastructure Development in Bishkek

South Korean companies will assist Bishkek in building a modern charging infrastructure for electric public transport, following agreements reached between Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Sanzhar Bolotov and representatives of the Korea Environmental Transport Association, along with several private firms. The collaboration aims to jointly develop, implement, and operate a state-of-the-art network of charging stations for electric buses in the Kyrgyz capital. It also includes the introduction of improved environmental practices. “The South Korean side expressed its readiness not only to help with infrastructure, but also to transfer to Bishkek expert knowledge and technology in the field of eco-friendly transport, as well as to conduct extensive information campaigns to promote electric transport among the population,” the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Trade stated. The agreement also encompasses a range of environmental initiatives. South Korean experts will assist Bishkek in improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions, critical objectives for a city frequently plagued by severe air pollution, particularly in the autumn and winter months. An important component of the agreement is the training of young specialists in South Korea. “Particular attention will be paid to the formation of a system of interaction between industry and the academic community, which will ensure the employment of trained specialists and the development of local expertise in the field of charging infrastructure operation,” the ministry added. Bishkek has pursued a consistent strategy of replacing traditional public transport with electric alternatives. Initially, the city phased out route taxis, replacing them with buses powered by gas and petrol. More recently, city authorities purchased 120 electric buses manufactured in China, with some units already delivered, through a project in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank. Concurrently, the city has begun phasing out its aging trolleybus fleet, a move that has sparked public debate. The infrastructure previously used for trolleybuses is being repurposed for the electric bus network. However, the process has faced delays, and several tenders for modifying the existing contact network have been cancelled. Starting in 2025, the popular Ala-Archa Nature Park will ban entry for vehicles with internal combustion engines. Tourists will be transported exclusively by municipal electric buses or allowed to use their own electric vehicles.

Infrastructure

UNDP and Japan Launch Initiative in Uzbekistan to Reduce Emissions and Boost Energy Efficiency

Uzbekistan has launched a new international initiative aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in public infrastructure. Spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Government of Japan and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, the project targets key sectors including schools, hospitals, kindergartens, and public transportation.z According to UNDP Uzbekistan, the initiative seeks to bolster the country’s resilience to energy-related challenges driven by increasingly extreme weather conditions. Many public buildings in Uzbekistan suffer from outdated infrastructure and significant energy loss, resulting in elevated emissions and burdensome utility expenses. The project will focus on upgrading facilities with thermal insulation, energy-efficient windows, heat pumps, and solar panels to address these inefficiencies. A central objective is to enhance indoor comfort throughout the year, particularly in regions experiencing extreme seasonal temperatures. The installation of modern heating and cooling systems is expected to make classrooms and hospital wards more sustainable and livable. The initiative will also extend to green mobility, supporting the introduction of electric buses, the development of charging infrastructure, and the deployment of air pollution monitoring systems along urban transport routes. A distinctive feature of the program is its use of the Joint Credit Mechanism (JCM), which provides Uzbekistan with access to advanced Japanese technology and investment. This mechanism facilitates international collaboration on carbon reduction and supports the country's transition toward cleaner technologies. The initiative aligns with Uzbekistan’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. The government has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent and raise the share of clean energy to 25 percent by 2030. According to UNDP representatives and officials from the National Agency for Energy Efficiency, the project is not only designed to meet environmental targets but also to improve public health and alleviate the financial strain caused by inefficient energy systems. This latest endeavor builds on previous sustainable development projects in Uzbekistan. Notably, a European Union and UNDP-backed program has supported the country’s fish farming industry by providing eco-friendly equipment to enhance water quality and reduce energy consumption.

Extreme Weather

Extreme Heat Warps Roads Across Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is experiencing widespread road damage due to an intense heatwave, with asphalt and cement concrete surfaces warping in both southern and northeastern regions of the country. The national road operator KazAutoZhol has stated that such deformation is a normal response to extreme heat conditions. Air temperatures have soared above 35°C across most regions, prompting meteorologists to advise residents to avoid going outdoors during peak daylight hours. The most affected areas are inter-city highways, where the heat has caused significant stress on infrastructure. The first reports of road warping emerged from the Pavlodar Region in northeastern Kazakhstan. On June 13, local authorities conducted emergency repairs at kilometer 1,265 of the Astana-Shiderty-Pavlodar-Uspenka-Russian border highway. Concrete slabs had buckled following a sharp temperature increase to 33-35°C. Notably, this highway is a toll road, and the damage drew criticism from motorists. Shortly thereafter, similar issues were reported in the south. On June 19, KazAutoZhol announced repairs on the Shymkent, Uzbekistan border highway, specifically at kilometer 763, another toll section. The pavement there had deformed due to air temperatures reaching 40-45°C. On the same day, further damage was reported on the Astana-Pavlodar highway in central Kazakhstan, where several consecutive days of temperatures between 32-35°C contributed to the melting and lifting of concrete slabs. "Cement concrete pavements are particularly sensitive to sudden temperature changes," experts from KazAutoZhol explained. "In hot conditions, the slabs expand. If gaps between them are insufficient or joints are compromised, internal stress can cause the slabs to suddenly lift, a phenomenon commonly referred to as a 'blow-up.' This is typical in regions where daytime temperatures exceed 35°C, which includes much of southern and central Kazakhstan." KazAutoZhol also cited similar challenges in other countries, noting that in the United States, states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois report comparable incidents nearly every summer. The organization operates under the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, which recently saw a leadership shake-up. In mid-May, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reprimanded then-Minister Marat Karabayev for multiple failings within the transport sector. Karabayev was dismissed in early June, and his deputy, Maksat Kaliakparov, was appointed acting minister. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, construction began this month on the strategic Center-West highway corridor, part of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), a key freight link connecting China and Europe via Kazakhstan.