Waste-to-Energy - The Times Of Central Asia

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Waste Management

Dushanbe Considers Waste-to-Energy Plant as Part of Green Development Strategy

Authorities in Tajikistan’s capital are considering the construction of a modern waste-to-energy facility that would process municipal solid waste while generating electricity, as part of efforts to develop more sustainable urban infrastructure. The proposal was discussed during talks between Tajikistan’s minister of energy and water resources, Daler Juma, and Environmental Protection Committee chairman Bahodur Sheralizoda, and representatives of the Chinese company Wangneng Environment, which specializes in waste treatment and energy recovery technologies. The parties explored the possibility of introducing municipal waste-processing technologies, including electricity generation through waste incineration and other forms of energy recovery. Such systems are used in a number of major cities in Asia and Europe as part of broader waste-management and urban sustainability policies. For Dushanbe, the project is gaining importance as the city’s population continues to grow and household waste volumes increase. Experts note that the existing landfill-based waste-management system is gradually becoming inadequate for the needs of a rapidly expanding urban center, particularly amid rising environmental pressures and limited land resources. If implemented, the facility could address several challenges at once by reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills, improving environmental and sanitary conditions, and adding to the capital’s electricity-generating capacity. The initiative is also being presented as one element of Tajikistan’s push to promote environmentally sustainable economic growth and expand the use of green technologies. In recent years, the country has supported international initiatives focused on climate adaptation, sustainable resource management, and cleaner energy development. Environmental and economic specialists note that waste-to-energy projects can help reduce pressure on landfills while providing an additional source of electricity for fast-growing cities. At the same time, they say strict environmental safeguards, modern filtration systems, and transparent monitoring would be essential to minimizing air pollution and ensuring compliance with international standards. Following the discussions, the parties expressed their willingness to continue consultations on the project. Key parameters of the proposed facility, including waste-processing capacity, electricity generation volumes, environmental requirements, and financing mechanisms, are expected to be determined during the next stages of negotiations.

Waste Disposal Technology

Kyrgyzstan to Build Modern Landfill Using Japanese Waste Disposal Technology

A pilot project to construct a modern landfill based on the Fukuoka Method is planned for the city of Kara-Balta in Kyrgyzstan’s northern Chui region, about 60 km west of Bishkek. The project aims to reduce environmental impacts and support the transition to modern waste management standards. The Fukuoka Method is a semi-aerobic landfill waste disposal technology developed jointly by Fukuoka University and the city of Fukuoka in the 1970s. It has since become a standard approach for local governments in Japan. By maximizing the aeration of waste, the method accelerates biodegradation and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 20-50%. The method uses natural ventilation through pipes and leachate collection systems to promote aerobic decomposition of waste. This accelerates stabilization, reduces methane emissions, and improves odor control. It is considered a relatively low-cost solution and is often cited as suitable for developing countries. On April 21, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision discussed implementation of the project with representatives of the Asian Development Bank and the Japan Foundation, including grant financing, technical support, and the use of the Fukuoka Method. The project is expected to reduce soil and groundwater pollution in the area, improve sanitary conditions for local residents, and provide a basis for wider use of the technology across the country. The transition to modern environmental technologies is seen as important for protecting public health and supporting the country’s sustainable development. Kyrgyzstan has also introduced Chinese technology for municipal solid waste disposal that generates electricity through incineration. In December 2025, Bishkek officially inaugurated Central Asia’s first waste-to-energy plant, located at the city’s primary landfill and constructed by Hunan Junxin Environmental Protection Co. Ltd.

Waste-to-Energy

Bishkek Officially Inaugurates Central Asia’s First Waste-to-Energy Plant

Bishkek marked a major environmental milestone on December 27 with the official inauguration of Central Asia’s first waste-to-energy plant. President Sadyr Japarov attended the ceremony, underscoring the project’s strategic and environmental importance. The facility received its first pilot batch of municipal solid waste on November 14 and has since become the region’s first operational plant generating electricity through waste incineration. Located at Bishkek’s primary landfill, the plant was constructed by China’s Hunan Junxin Environmental Protection Co. Ltd., which invested $95 million in the project. Initially, the facility will process 1,000 tons of waste per day, with future expansion plans to increase capacity to 3,000 tons. The plant is equipped with advanced technology and complies with international environmental standards. It also includes a processing line to convert slag and ash from incineration into construction materials. Speaking at the ceremony, Japarov said the plant would significantly improve the capital’s environmental conditions and contribute to electricity generation. He noted that the facility was built in just 1.5 years and operates under a 35-year concession agreement, after which it will be fully transferred to the state. Designed to process up to 365,000 tons of waste annually, the plant features a 30 MW turbo-generator power unit that will save approximately 80,000 tons of coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 100,000 tons per year. Japarov also met with residents living near the landfill. Many shared that they had long suffered from health issues due to constant smoke from burning garbage and waste blown by the wind. They expressed hope that the new plant would dramatically improve local living conditions. Opened in 1974, Bishkek’s municipal landfill has accumulated around 20 million tons of waste. In recent years, the city has struggled to manage growing volumes of solid waste, receiving up to 1,500 tons per day which has severely impacted the urban environment. The Bishkek plant is the first of three waste-to-energy projects by Hunan Junxin in Kyrgyzstan. In June 2025, the company began constructing a similar facility in Osh, the country’s second-largest city. On October 25, it launched another plant in Karakol, the administrative center of Issyk-Kul region. Hunan Junxin is also expanding regionally. In August, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources announced that the company would build Kazakhstan’s first waste-to-energy plant in Almaty.

Environment

Mirziyoyev Orders Crackdown on Pollution and Waste

Uzbekistan is intensifying its environmental oversight as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev convened a high-level government meeting on December 1 to address mounting pollution, delays in waste-to-energy infrastructure, and preparedness for the winter season. The session highlighted the rising social and economic risks of air-quality deterioration in Tashkent, and chronic failures in waste management nationwide. Officials attributed recent spikes in air pollution in the capital not only to industrial emissions and construction activity but also to a severe cold anticyclone blanketing much of the country. This weather system caused high atmospheric pressure and temperature inversions, trapping fine particulate matter and inhibiting air circulation. In response, authorities launched inspections of construction sites, greenhouses, and vehicle emissions, while emergency measures, such as watering streets, cleaning canals, and activating fountains, were deployed to stabilize air quality. Mirziyoyev ordered regional officials to enforce stricter environmental compliance, eliminate violations promptly, and take proactive steps to prevent further degradation. He emphasized that growing public frustration demands “decisive and coordinated action” from all levels of government. Stalled Waste-to-Energy Projects Under Scrutiny Waste-to-energy development, a cornerstone of Uzbekistan’s sustainability agenda, also came under fire. Although $933 million in investment has been pledged, several regions have yet to launch projects. Existing facilities in Andijan, Namangan, Ferghana, Samarkand, Kashkadarya, and Tashkent continue to face critical infrastructure deficiencies, including inadequate roads, electricity, and water supply. Mirziyoyev instructed officials to remove these bottlenecks and ensure the nationwide rollout of waste-to-energy projects in 2026. The government has set a target of reducing household waste disposal areas by 50% by 2030. To date, 47 landfill sites have been closed and rehabilitated, restoring over 240 hectares of land for environmental use. Yet the majority of Uzbekistan’s 132 active landfills still lack protective barriers, green belts, and basic safety systems. The president ordered the transformation of these sites into “environmentally safe zones” and called for greater public engagement through environmental education. Starting in 2026, the government will allocate at least 150 billion soums annually from the state budget for this initiative. Hazardous Waste and Digital Tracking Industrial and hazardous waste management also remains underdeveloped. Processing rates have improved but still fall short of international norms. Mirziyoyev demanded a full inventory of hazardous waste generation and storage sites and directed each region to launch its own recycling or disposal initiatives. A unified digital platform will be introduced to monitor hazardous waste nationwide. Winter Readiness and Public Safety Winter preparedness was another major focus. Persistent issues with liquefied gas distribution prompted the president to order operational reforms and faster responses to citizen complaints. Authorities reported substandard repairs along 1,800 kilometers of power lines; the Prosecutor General’s Office will investigate, and the Energy Inspectorate has been tasked with strengthening oversight to ensure stable electricity supply during the winter. Mirziyoyev also called for updated fire-safety standards in residential buildings, including a ban on highly flammable façade materials. Presidential Decree and Long-Term Strategy The December 1 meeting followed a presidential decree issued on November 25 introducing emergency environmental measures and creating a special...

Waste-to-Energy

Chinese Firms to Build Waste-to-Energy Plants in Astana and Shymkent

Kazakhstan is advancing the modernization of its waste management system with the launch of new waste-to-energy projects in Astana and Shymkent, its second- and third-largest cities. On October 31, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources announced the signing of investment agreements with China’s Shaanxi Construction Engineering Kazakhstan Co., Ltd. and East Hope LLP to construct the new facilities. In Astana, East Hope LLP will invest approximately $180 million to build a plant with a daily processing capacity of 1,500 tons of municipal solid waste, equating to around 550,000 tons per year. In Shymkent, Shaanxi Construction Engineering Kazakhstan Co., Ltd. will invest $100 million in a plant capable of processing 1,000 tons of waste daily, around 360,000 tons annually. Together, the two projects are expected to create more than 550 jobs during the construction phase and approximately 200 permanent positions once operational. The plants aim to significantly reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills while generating clean electricity, contributing to Kazakhstan’s broader environmental and energy goals. In August, the Ministry signed a separate agreement with China’s Hunan Junxin Environmental Protection Co. Ltd. to construct Kazakhstan’s first waste-to-energy facility in Almaty. That plant will process at least 1,600 tons of solid waste daily and generate up to 60 megawatts of electricity. The total investment in the Almaty project is estimated at $269 million.

Waste-to-Energy

Chinese Firm to Invest $600 Million in Waste-to-Energy Plants in Kazakhstan

China’s Hunan Junxin Environmental Protection Co. Ltd. plans to invest $600 million in constructing three waste-to-energy plants in Kazakhstan. The project was the focus of a meeting on July 3 between Azamat Kozhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Board at Kazakh Invest, and Dai Daoguo, Chairman of Hunan Junxin’s Board of Directors. According to Dai, the initiative will go beyond waste incineration to establish an integrated technological ecosystem. Plans include green data centers powered by the energy produced, training facilities, and smart waste management systems. “Our goal is not just to build plants, but to implement an innovative approach to waste handling,” Dai said. “We aim to bring technologies to Kazakhstan that integrate recycling, energy generation, and digitalization. I’m confident this will be a major contribution to the region’s sustainable development and environmental safety.” Kozhanov highlighted the importance of large-scale, environmentally focused projects that promote technology localization and sustainable energy. “We see strong potential for joint implementation of green projects that meet international standards. Junxin’s experience, including successful initiatives in China and Kyrgyzstan, can contribute significantly to the development of green infrastructure in our cities,” he said. Hunan Junxin is already active in Kyrgyzstan, where it is implementing similar projects in Bishkek and Osh. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, on June 10, the company began construction of a $95 million solid waste incineration facility in Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city. The plant will convert municipal waste into electricity and heat. In Bishkek, the company is building a solid waste recycling facility at the city’s sanitary landfill. Initially, the facility will process 1,000 tons of waste per day, with plans to expand capacity to 3,000 tons. Completion is scheduled for December 2025.