Energy Security and Sustainability in Central Asia

The energy sector in Central Asia is facing increasing demand and uncertainty. adelphi supports the development of scenarios that can provide a basis for long term sustainable planning.

Economic development and demographic changes are increasing water and energy demand in Central Asia. Both sectors are highly interdependent and regionally integrated. Water is used in the upstream countries of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for energy production while at the same time it is also needed to irrigate the large cotton fields in the downstream countries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The water and energy sharing system that existed during Soviet times has broken down and as pressures are increasing, questions regarding regional energy and water security are gaining in urgency.

To find answers to these questions and support long-term sustainable planning, the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) commissioned adelphi in cooperation with the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CARAC) to organise a scenario planning workshop in Ashgabat, Uzbekistan, aimed at experts of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as well as representatives from ministries for environment and energy from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tadjikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. Taking the question “How will energy security develop in Central Asia until 2050?” as a starting point, the participants developed scenarios in country working groups, which might influence future projects in this field.

For further information: www.adelphi.de/de/servic… http://carec.kz/en/ www.envsec.org