LocationsUNDP actively promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency in Turkmenistan
March 30, 2023
UNDP actively promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency in Turkmenistan
Mary, 28 March 2023: Within the framework of the joint project of UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan "Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Avaza”, a training seminar was held in a hybrid format themed “Exploring the possibilities of developing renewable energy sources in the climatic conditions of Turkmenistan. Methods of conducting an energy survey of residential and public buildings”.
The event was attended by specialists of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, teachers and students of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan (SEIT, Mary), specialists of the Research and Production Center "Renewable Energy Sources" at SEIT, as well as specialists and international consultants of the aforementioned UNDP project.
The purpose of the event was to provide participants with information about the possibility of developing a new sector of the electric power industry - renewable energy, taking into consideration the climatic conditions of Turkmenistan, studying international experience in the development of regulatory documents and best practices for the use of renewable energy, mastering the methodology and gaining practical skills for conducting energy surveys of residential and public buildings, as well as for the introduction of innovative energy efficiency technologies in electric power industry.
During the presentations, the seminar participants learned about the results of the joint work of national specialists and the UNDP project on the preparation of the draft of the new Law of Turkmenistan "On Renewable Energy Sources" (adopted by the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan on March 13, 2021), the draft the new Law of Turkmenistan "On Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation", which is currently under review in the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. Detailed information was also provided on the National Strategy for the Development of Renewable Energy in Turkmenistan for the period until 2030 - a strategic document in the field of renewable energy developed with the support of UNDP and approved by the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan on December 4, 2020.
The participants also discussed the implementation of pilot projects on the introduction of modern LED lamps into street lighting systems, the possibility of equipping non-volatile LED lamps with solar panels, practical steps being implemented and planned within the UNDP project to expand the use of renewable energy in Turkmenistan and the introduction of innovative energy-efficient technologies in electric power industry, which reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The UNDP International Consultant Ms. Elena Zhuchenko noted: “Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources play a key role in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The issues discussed at the seminar not only relate to the ways of solving climate change problems that are relevant for Turkmenistan, but also contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Participation in this seminar is especially valuable for girls in the context of achieving SDG 5 "Ensuring gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls". Women and girls had the opportunity to get acquainted with new types of jobs, and, accordingly, with the new types of employment opportunities that will allow them to have better opportunities for professional development - energy audit and renewable energy, and see themselves in new, promising and important areas of business."
Senior Technical Advisor, the UNDP international consultant Mr. Alexey Zakharov said: “The seminar covers a wide range of important issues from international best practices to the analysis of opportunities and prospects for using a number of the world's best technologies and practices in Turkmenistan. The participation of women in this event is extremely important, since women occupy 32% of positions in the global renewable energy sector. The expansion of women's participation in high-tech sectors is extremely important, as it helps to support women’s economic security and provides an opportunity for career growth."
