Electricity in Turkmenistan in 2023
In Turkmenistan, the state of electricity consumption is overwhelmingly dominated by fossil fuels, with more than 99.9% of its electricity derived from gas. This reliance means that Turkmenistan's electricity generation is almost entirely based on fossil fuel energy sources, with close to none of its electricity coming from low-carbon or clean energy sources. With such a lopsided energy portfolio, the country faces challenges related to environmental impacts and sustainability, given the global movement towards reducing carbon emissions and increasing clean energy use.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, Energy Institute and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Turkmenistan?
The growth in electricity consumption in Turkmenistan is modest but perceptible. The most recent data from 2023 shows that electricity consumption per person is 4588 kWh, representing a slight increase of 79 kWh from the previous record set in 2022. Despite this growth in total electricity usage, the amount of low-carbon electricity generation is disappointingly low at just 1 kWh per person in 2023, marking a steep decline from its 1990 record of 186 kWh per person. This indicates a worrying decrease of 185 kWh in low-carbon electricity, highlighting an urgent need for the country to invest more in sustainable energies.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Turkmenistan could benefit from studying successful regions that have made significant advancements in clean energy adoption. For instance, countries like France and Ukraine have achieved high rates of nuclear energy at 70% and 55%, respectively, showing the potential of nuclear energy as a stable and clean source of electricity. Additionally, states like Iowa and Denmark have harnessed wind energy effectively, accounting for more than half of their electricity generation. Given Turkmenistan's sunny climate, it could also look to regions like Nevada in the United States, where solar energy makes up 33% of the electricity mix. These examples illustrate that with strategic investments, Turkmenistan could diversify its energy portfolio through solar and nuclear power, significantly reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Historically, low-carbon electricity in Turkmenistan has primarily been generated through hydroelectric power, though it has seen fluctuations in output. Starting from 1986 until 1991, hydroelectric generation saw a modest increase, with a notable rise of 0.7 TWh in 1990. However, this was not sustained, as a decline of 0.7 TWh occurred in 1992, followed by years of stagnation with no changes in hydroelectric output from 1993 onward. In the decades since, including the 2020s, there have been no new developments in this area, representing a missed opportunity to harness and expand upon low-carbon resources. To ensure a clean energy future, Turkmenistan will need to consider revitalizing its approach to low-carbon power generation.
