Electricity in Turkmenistan in 2023
Currently, Turkmenistan's electricity consumption is dominated by fossil fuels, which account for almost all of the country's electricity generation, standing at an overwhelming 99.97%. Such reliance on fossil energy sources contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbates environmental issues like climate change and air pollution. By contrast, the presence of low-carbon or clean electricity sources in the country's energy mix is nearly non-existent, which presents both a significant challenge and a substantial opportunity for future development. The stark dominance of fossil fuels highlights the urgent need for Turkmenistan to diversify its energy sources by investing more in sustainable and low-carbon technologies such as solar and nuclear energy.
Is Electricity Growing in Turkmenistan?
In terms of electricity growth in Turkmenistan, there is a slight upward trend in overall consumption. The most recent data from 2023 shows that each person in the country consumed around 4,546 kWh of electricity, which marks a modest increase of 37 kWh compared to the previous record in 2022. However, the generation of low-carbon electricity remains static, with just 1 kWh per person generated, unchanged from previous years. Moreover, the low-carbon electricity level is even lower than the record of 2 kWh per person set in 2016. This plateau in low-carbon electricity generation is concerning and indicates a stall in efforts to transition to greener energy sources, which will be essential for sustainable growth and environmental preservation.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Turkmenistan can draw lessons from countries that have successfully transitioned to substantial levels of clean energy. Countries like Ukraine and Belarus, with a high reliance on nuclear power constituting 55% and 36% respectively of their electricity generation, demonstrate the significant potential of nuclear energy. Similarly, learning from solar-rich nations like Lebanon, where solar power accounts for 31% of electricity, can be beneficial. By developing policies that enhance investment in nuclear and solar power infrastructure, Turkmenistan can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and move towards a more sustainable and secure energy future. Taking inspiration from these examples, Turkmenistan could begin a transformative journey toward a cleaner, more diversified electricity generation mix.
History
Historically, low-carbon electricity generation in Turkmenistan has remained static, without any significant growth or innovation from the early 1990s through to the 2020s. Data shows consistent zero-growth in hydroelectric power generation from 1992 to 2021, and similar stagnation in solar power from 2010 to 2021. This consistent lack of progress raises concerns about long-term planning and investment in clean energy technologies. Such a history of stagnation calls for a more robust national strategy focused on diversifying energy sources by integrating more solar and nuclear energy. This shift would not only ensure future energy security but also alleviate the negative impacts of climate change and pollution from fossil fuels.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.