Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – A training workshop titled “Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Turkmenistan: Features of Integrating Solar and Wind Power Plants into Electric Power System” was held on 19–20 November 2025. The event was organised by the European Union-funded SECCA project with the support of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan.

Strategic documents adopted in recent years by the Government of Turkmenistan emphasise the need to develop the energy sector in line with the principles of sustainable development. This implies the use of the country’s vast potential in the field of solar and wind energy. The Law on Renewable Energy Sources, adopted in 2021 and amended in November 2023, is aimed at expanding the use of renewable energy, strengthening energy security, developing a competitive energy system, and ensuring environmental protection.

SECCA experts presented information on the project’s current activities in Turkmenistan, including efforts to strengthen the country’s participation in the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. A key part of the programme consisted of thematic sessions devoted to global trends in renewable energy development and the experience of EU and Central Asian countries in integrating renewables into electric power systems.

On the first day, participants reviewed Kazakhstan’s model for renewable energy development, including state policy and regulation, tariff setting, main challenges, and scenarios. On the second day, mechanisms to support investors, the development of small-scale renewable energy projects, financial support for projects, and innovative models such as hybrid power plants, the use of renewables and energy storage systems, and hydrogen production were discussed.

The seminar was attended by specialists from the Ministry of Energy, representatives of “Turkmenenergo”, the Scientific and Production Center “Renewable Energy Sources” of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, and the Ashgabat Secondary Vocational School of Energy under the Ministry of Energy.

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – On 18 November 2025, a roundtable titled “Opportunities for Strengthening Turkmenistan’s Participation in Horizon Europe” was held at the International University of Humanities and Development. The event was organised by the European Union-funded SECCA project with the support of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Education, national contact points (NCPs) for the programme, international experts of the SECCA project, and leading universities of the country.

Since May 2024, SECCA has been actively supporting Central Asian countries in strengthening their participation in the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, including the development of NCP networks, the creation of a “Cooperation Profile” to facilitate the search for partners in the EU, and the organisation of information events dedicated to the programme’s Cluster 5 on climate, energy, and mobility.

In Turkmenistan, in particular, the project organised two international conferences on opportunities for the country’s participation in the programme. As a result of the second conference, held in May 2025, a database of Central Asian research institutes with the potential to participate in Cluster 5 calls was created. This database was transferred to GREENET, the international network of NCPs for Cluster 5, and disseminated among its members. Given that the new Cluster 5 Work Programme, published in September 2025, explicitly encourages cooperation with Central Asian countries, this resource will contribute to a more effective search for partners and the development of new partnerships.

Thus, at the roundtable, participants discussed the results achieved and further actions to ensure the sustainability of these results and to expand Turkmenistan’s participation in Horizon Europe. The event became an important step toward strengthening international scientific cooperation and increasing Turkmenistan’s engagement in international research initiatives.

Dushanbe, Tajikistan – Cooperation for greener future and human stories behind clean energy transition took the central stage at the Third Edition of European Union – Tajikistan Sustainable Energy Days that took place today. The event featured a photo exhibition “The European Union – Tajikistan: Faces of Sustainable Energy Development Cooperation” and a greening action at the substation “Novaya”.

The event gathered representatives of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, the Renewable Energy Association of Tajikistan, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Tajikistan, the protagonists of the photo exhibition, and students.

Organised with the EU support, the photo exhibition highlighted the citizens of Tajikistan – policymakers, experts, researchers, engineers, and educators – who are powering the clean energy transition and turning the vision of a sustainable future into reality. These local stories were also complimented by a regional digital exhibition showcasing 38 inspiring portraits and stories from across all five Central Asian countries.

At the exhibition opening, Mr Manuchehr Safarzoda, Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, said: “More than 98% of Tajikistan’s electricity is generated from hydropower resources, and our country has set ambitious goals to achieve a complete transition to green energy by 2037. For us, the development of renewable energy is not just about generating more power, it is also about empowering and recognising people who drive this development. Through robust policies, education, and innovation, we strive to build a clean energy system. We appreciate the European Union’s support on this path of making Tajikistan greener, more sustainable, and full of opportunities for its people.”

Participants then joined the greening action at the substation “Novaya”. The act of planting trees resonated with Tajikistan’s National Programme “Green Country”, the State Program for Greening the Republic of Tajikistan for the Period until 2040, the republican movement “Plant a Tree!”, as well with the European campaign #ForOurPlanet, reflecting a commitment to cleaner air, greener cities, and a climate-resilient environment.

H.E. Mr Radosław Darski, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Tajikistan noted: “This photo exhibition offers an opportunity to celebrate our shared values and common vision for a sustainable future. It highlights the strong and long-term partnership between the European Union and Tajikistan in promoting sustainable development, advancing the energy transition, and fostering a green economy. The heroes featured in  the photo exhibition show that every action – small or big – is important and meaningful. Each story and every tree planted today remind us that together we can protect our planet and build a better tomorrow.

The European Union – Tajikistan Sustainable Energy Days campaign and its activities were organised by the EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)”.

Dushanbe, Tajikistan – On 12 November 2025, officials from the Ministry of Energy and Water  Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Tajikistan, representatives of the Association of Renewable Energy and other non-governmental organisations, as well as private companies attended the technical meetings on e-mobility and solar energy solutions in Tajikistan.

At these meetings organised by the European Union-funded SECCA project, the project experts presented the results of technical assistance.

The morning session focused on the growth of e-mobility in Tajikistan. Participants discussed newly developed legal acts and the next steps in the e-mobility activities in Tajikistan.

In the afternoon, the discussion shifted to rooftop solar development. The representative of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources presented on the national policy on solar energy, while the SECCA experts shared the results of the conducted assessment on the rooftop solar potential in Tajikistan, as well as about promotion and financing of the rooftop solar projects.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan – On 24 October 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted Resolution No. 673 “On Measures for the Formation of the Energy Service Market and the Promotion of Energy Efficiency in Residential Buildings.” The key document within this resolution is Annex No. 3 – Regulations on the Provision of Energy Services, which establishes:

• The procedure and conditions for concluding energy service contracts between ESCOs and customers;
• Financing mechanisms for ESCO projects (own funds, bank loans, IFI grants);
• Requirements for the selection of ESCOs and maintenance of a Unified Register.

These Regulations were developed with the technical assistance of the European Union’s SECCA Project, which in June 2025 submitted to Uzbekistan’s state authorities a comprehensive package of regulatory and methodological documents aimed at developing a modern energy service market in the country.

The same package also included drafts of two related documents: the Methodology for Measuring and Verifying Energy Efficiency and the Model Energy Service Contract. Both documents are currently in the final stage of review by the National Energy Efficiency Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers also approves regulations governing the procedure for conducting energy audits of residential buildings, the certification of energy auditors, the provision of energy services, and the repayment or compensation of part of the interest on “Green Renovation” loans. In addition, the Resolution establishes procedures for conducting tenders, signing contracts, and supplying and installing renewable energy (RE) technologies and other energy-efficient equipment via the Digital Platform for Energy Efficiency Improvement.

According to this document, to create additional incentives and benefits for improving the energy efficiency of residential buildings, the state will compensate citizens up to 100% of the cost of energy audits, up to 20% of the cost of purchasing and installing solar panels, solar collectors, and other household heating devices and equipment, and up to 40% of the cost of installing heat pumps.

The National Energy Efficiency Agency acts as the key coordinator. It has been instructed to reach agreements with commercial banks on allocating resources for “Green Renovation” loans. Starting from November 2025, the Agency’s Digital Platform for Energy Efficiency Improvement will implement a system for allocating subsidies for the purchase of energy-efficient technologies and RE installations.

The Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Digital Technologies, Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services, and other relevant bodies have been tasked with ensuring the Agency’s access to data on facilities equipped with RE devices, volumes of supplied electricity, natural gas, and thermal energy, as well as to the electronic platform “Building Energy Audits” and others.

Moreover, the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services and the Agency will jointly develop and submit to the Cabinet of Ministers proposals for establishing a system for training, retraining, and professional development of specialists in the field of energy efficiency.

The adoption of this Resolution marks a new chapter in the development of Uzbekistan’s energy service market. The introduction of digital solutions and the establishment of transparent certification and support mechanisms will create a solid foundation for modernising the housing stock, improving energy efficiency, and strengthening the country’s energy independence.

Dushanbe, Tajikistan – Tajikistan is witnessing a rapid increase in the number of electric vehicles (EVs), which is already having a noticeable impact on the country’s economy and energy sector. While there were only a few dozen EVs on the roads in 2021, by mid-2025 their number had exceeded 34,000 units – more than 5% of the country’s entire vehicle fleet. Accordingly, there is a need not only to maintain this positive dynamic, but also to create an effective regulatory framework for regulating and promoting the electric mobility sector.

The European Union-funded SECCA project has supported the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan in developing a set of proposals aimed at optimising and regulating the e-mobility sector.

In April 2025, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan adopted a resolution introducing duty-free import for new (less than one year old) EVs, while not providing benefits for used EVs.

This initiative has significant economic and environmental impact. Maintaining preferential import conditions helps reduce the cost of EVs and makes them more affordable for the population. In turn, this contributes to reducing carbon dioxide and other pollutant emissions, improving urban air quality. Moreover, the growing number of EVs helps reduce Tajikistan’s dependence on oil imports and strengthens the country’s energy security, as its main energy source is hydropower, a renewable energy source.

The increase in EVs also stimulates the development of charging infrastructure, opening up new opportunities for business and investment, creating jobs, and fostering technological innovation in the country’s transport sector.

At the same time, experts emphasise the urgent need to develop a system for recycling old EV batteries, which requires additional investments, new technologies, and personnel training. If the system is not properly organised, it could create additional environmental problems. A comprehensive approach to implementing initiatives to promote e-mobility will ensure sustainable and efficient development of the EV market in Tajikistan.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan – About 30 senior students from school №242 of the Tashkent city took part in the STEM4Her guided tour at the Turin Polytechnic University. The event was organised with the support of the European Union (EU), as part of the EU–Uzbekistan Sustainable Energy Days.

In 2023, School №242 was officially recognised by the EU as Tashkent’s Most Energy-Efficient School, making it a natural choice to engage in this career development and sustainability-focused initiative. The STEM4Her event was specifically designed to spark interest among young learners, especially girls, in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and the clean energy field. Uzbekistan shows a steady increase in the share of girls in STEM, which rose to 40.2 percent in 2021, as the national Agency of Statistics reports. However, women participation in the energy sector remains low – they represent only 12% of the workforce.

Addressing the participants, Mr Christos Marazopoulos, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Uzbekistan, said: “The STEM4Her event embodies the belief that empowering girls in STEM is key to achieving sustainable development and building a more innovative and green future. The EU is proud to support such initiatives that inspire girls to pursue their passion in the fields that are still often perceived as fit only for men. I encourage you to break this stereotype and bring your fresh vision to STEM and the energy sector.”

During the event, the schoolchildren toured the University’s modern facilities and laboratories, getting first-hand exposure to research and innovation. Participants also engaged in an interactive session with successful female professionals, University leadership, and female students, learning from their experiences in advancing sustainable energy, science, and research in Uzbekistan. The event concluded with a lively quiz to test students’ newly-gained knowledge in an engaging way.

Following the STEM4Her event, participants attended the inauguration of the photo exhibition “The European Union – Uzbekistan: Faces of Sustainable Energy Development Cooperation”, showcasing inspiring portraits of individuals driving the energy transition across Central Asia. The event programme also featured the presentation of certificates from the EU’s Regional Media Contest “Energy Transition for a Better Tomorrow”, held between 15 April and 14 May 2025. Among over 120 participating journalists, Doniyor Tukhsinov from Kun.uz received the third prize, while Aizada Amangeldiyeva from Anhor.uz was awarded a special diploma by the contest jury. This ceremony highlighted the vital role of media in raising public awareness about sustainable development.

The Sustainable Energy Days campaign and its events were organised by the EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)”.

Background:

The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.

The European Union – Uzbekistan Sustainable Energy Days is part of the broader European Union – Central Asia Sustainable Energy Days campaign. Its purpose is to enhance the awareness of national stakeholders and the public in the region of Central Asia on the significance, benefits and accessibility of sustainable energy and the interlinkage between energy and climate change. It also represents a global edition of EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the largest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, initiated in 2007 by the European Commission.

The EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” (from March 2022 to March 2026) aims to promote a sustainable energy mix in the Central Asia region in line with EU best practices. SECCA strives to provide for strengthened and more inclusive policy, regulatory and institutional framework for the transition to a sustainable energy system, within a regional context. It also focuses on raising the public’s awareness about energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE), and improving investment climate for EE and RE projects.

For additional information, please contact Mrs Yelena Serebrennikova, SECCA Communication strategist, email: media@secca.eu, Mrs Nurgul Smagulova-Dulic, SECCA Media relations expert, email: nurgul.smagulova@secca.eu, or the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, email: delegation-uzbekistan@eeas.europa.eu.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan – The Regional Conference on Energy Labelling took place on 21-22 October 2025 in a hybrid format, bringing together representatives of line ministries and enforcement authorities from Central Asia, as well as energy efficiency experts from the European Union (EU) and its Member States, to exchange best practices on implementing energy labelling regulations. The Conference was organised by the EU-funded Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA) project.

Energy labelling aims to improve the energy efficiency of products, reduce their overall environmental impact, and provide consumers with transparent information allowing them to select more energy-efficient products. It plays a vital role in the EU’s energy efficiency policy, driving the shift toward more efficient technologies.

The first day of the conference focused on the legal and regulatory aspects of energy labelling. Presentations from Niels Ladefoged (Directorate-General for Energy of the European Commission) and Linda Rinkule (SECCA) highlighted how the EU system advances energy efficiency and sustainability. Representatives from the Central Asian countries – Farhad Mukanov (Committee of Industry of Kazakhstan), Nazgul Serkebaeva (Kyrgyzstandard), Ravshan Ibragimov (Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan), and Fitratullo Nabiyev (National Agency for Energy Efficiency of Uzbekistan) – shared progress updates and experiences in developing their national frameworks. Discussions also explored the role of digitalisation, including the use of the EPREL database, QR codes, and digital product passports, in improving compliance and consumer access to information.

On the second day, the discussion shifted to the implementation and enforcement of energy labelling measures. Ivars Jornins (Consumer Rights Protection Centre of Latvia) provided insights into the energy labelling enforcement in e-commerce, while Rasmus Borup (Danish Technological Institute) presented on testing of household appliances. Nurbek Kazbek (Ministry of Trade and Integration of  the Republic of Kazakhstan) and Elmira Baigaziyeva (Kyrgyzstandart) spoke of the implementation of energy labelling in their respective countries. Through presentations by Linda Rinkule (SECCA), participants examined market surveillance mechanisms and cooperation between market surveillance authorities and customs in import controls.

The event concluded with a technical visit to Uzbekistan’s conformity assessment laboratory, illustrating the country’s growing institutional capacity in the energy efficiency domain.

The Regional Conference reaffirmed the commitment of Central Asian countries to advancing energy efficiency and sustainability, and the EU’s continued support for the region in its transition towards sustainable energy.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – On 16 October 2025, the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic hosted the second meeting of the Inter-Institutional Working Group (IIWG) on the implementation of mechanisms for the operation of energy service companies (ESCOs).

As during the first meeting of the IWG on ESCOs held in September, the main focus was on creating conditions for the introduction of energy performance contracts (EPCs) and the development of the ESCO market in Kyrgyzstan.

The meeting was opened by Talgat Asan uulu, Head of the Renewable Energy Development Department at the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Paata Janelidze, Team Leader of the European Union-funded SECCA Project.

Key presentations were given by Nicolae Zaharia, SECCA expert on ESCOs, who examined the following issues in detail:

• objectives of a standard EPC contract and which sections are recommended for the Kyrgyz Republic
• the development of an energy savings measurement and verification (M&V) system
• methodology for calculating energy savings and general principles for formulating ESCO policy in regulatory acts
• Uzbekistan’s experience in developing the ESCO market.

In conclusion, the experts exchanged opinions and suggestions and agreed to continue working together on further development of the energy services market in Kyrgyzstan.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Over 30 senior students of school №65 of the Bishkek city participated in the STEM4Her event. It was organised with the support of the European Union (EU), as part of the EU–Kyrgyzstan Sustainable Energy Days.

As the name suggests, the STEM4Her event was primarily aimed at the senior schoolgirls. At the event, they joined discussions with role models from the energy sector about education and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and energy. Women leaders, including Nurzat Abdyrasulova, President of UNISON Group, and Eleonora Kazakova, Chairperson of the “Renewable Energy Sources in the Kyrgyz Republic” Association, and Ilze Purina, the EU-funded SECCA Project Key Expert in Energy Governance, shared their stories of breaking barriers and building careers in sustainable energy. Taalaibek Mambetaliev, Deputy Director General of the Chakan Small Hydropower Plant, presented about the work of the plant and how water generates clean energy.

School №65 was awarded the title of the Most Energy-Efficient School in 2023 by the EU, making it a fitting participant.

Hans Farnhammer, Chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic, remarked: “Initiatives like STEM4Her empower girls and invest in future female leaders who will drive innovation and the green transition. Energy is not just about technology – it is about people, ideas, and opportunities. The EU is proud to support the energy sector in Central Asia with our flagship regional projects Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant and SECCA, and making sure that women will be part of work force of the energy sector in the future”.

Currently, women account for about 30-40% of STEM graduates but make up only 18% of the energy sector workforce in Kyrgyzstan. The event increased the girls’ awareness about clean energy and encouraged them to imagine their futures in STEM. It ended with a lively STEM4Her quiz, where the girls tested their knowledge of sustainable energy and celebrated the winners with prizes and group photos.

The event was organised by the EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)”.