Electricity in Turkmenistan in 2022

As of 2022, Turkmenistan's electricity generation is overwhelmingly reliant on fossil fuels, with these sources accounting for nearly 100% of its electricity supply. The domination of fossil energy indicates a heavy dependence on traditional and non-sustainable sources, which have significant environmental impacts, contributing to climate change and air pollution. Low-carbon sources, including nuclear, wind, and solar, are nearly absent in the current electricity mix of Turkmenistan. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the country to diversify its energy sources and reduce its carbon footprint by adopting cleaner forms of energy generation.

Suggestions

To transition towards a more sustainable electricity portfolio, Turkmenistan can draw lessons from countries that have successfully integrated low-carbon energy sources into their electricity generation. Countries like Ukraine and Armenia, which are geographically and historically relatable to Turkmenistan, have established significant shares of their electricity from nuclear energy, producing over half and almost a third, respectively. Similarly, countries like Denmark and Uruguay have capitalized on their wind resources to satisfy a considerable portion of their electricity needs, with Denmark generating almost 60% and Uruguay 36% of its electricity from wind. These examples demonstrate the effectiveness of investing in nuclear energy for base load capacity and wind energy for variable generation, supporting a sustainable and diverse electricity sector.

History

Historically, Turkmenistan's progress in low-carbon electricity generation has been minimal. Since the early 1990s, there have been no recorded increases in hydroelectric electricity generation, indicating a stagnant approach through the decades. Similarly, from 2010 through the early 2020s, there has been close to none development of solar power, showcasing a missed opportunity to tap into the country's vast solar potential. This historical inertia serves as a critical reminder of the necessity to prioritize the development of low-carbon technologies to catch up with global trends in sustainable electricity production. Implementing policies that encourage investment in modern clean energy systems, such as nuclear, wind, and solar, could significantly alter the trajectory of Turkmenistan's energy landscape.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources