Astana, Kazakhstan – On 7 April 2026, the European Union-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” organised the fourth and final Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting. Held in a hybrid format, this closing event brought together officials from Central Asian countries – members of the PSC designated by their respective governments, representatives of the European Union and its projects. The event marked the culmination of four years of regional cooperation aimed at advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable energy policies in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Participants gathered to celebrate achievements, reflect on lessons learned, and explore pathways for continued collaboration beyond the project’s conclusion.

Mr Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, remarked in his opening statement: “The SECCA project has delivered solid results. It has strengthened the regional dialogue and improved cooperation between countries. It supported national institutions and helped improve policies and regulatory frameworks. It has also encouraged cooperation between governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society, including more gender-inclusive approaches. As we near the end of the project, today is a good moment to take stock of what has been achieved and to look ahead. I would like to thank all partners for their work and cooperation over these years. Your contribution has been key to the SECCA’s success.”

The representatives of national stakeholders – Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, and Agency for Strategic Development and Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan – then took the floor, greeted the participants on behalf of their respective countries, and expressed appreciation for the SECCA project’s tailored technical assistance, targeted initiatives, consultations, and analytical work.

SECCA Key Experts Paata Janelidze and Ilze Purina then presented on the project outcomes, focusing on the work done to enhance regulatory frameworks, promote climate and energy planning, develop energy services market, energy audits, quality control of energy performance certificates of buildings, as well as deploy rooftop solar, small-scale hydropower energy projects and e-mobility projects, and other. They shared about the project efforts to strengthen capacities of beneficiary countries’ research and academic institutions for more active participation in the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and enhanced research cooperation between the EU and Central Asia. The experts also highlighted the work dedicated to raising awareness about the importance and benefits of sustainable energy among the stakeholders and general public, including women and youth, achieved through various events and activities, and most importantly through “The European Union – Central Asia Sustainable Energy Days” campaigns conducted regionally and nationally and the “Energiya Joly” Podcast.

While SECCA formally draws to a close in May 2026, participants emphasised that it represents not an endpoint but a foundation for continued cooperation. With growing momentum toward renewable energy and carbon footprint reduction targets, Central Asia and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – On 25 March 2026, the Ministry of Justice of Turkmenistan registered the “Fire Safety Regulations for Energy Enterprises”. These regulations were developed on the basis of the “Recommendations on Fire Safety at Energy Enterprises”, prepared within the framework of the European Union-funded SECCA project, in accordance with the Laws of Turkmenistan “On Electric Power Industry” and “On Fire Safety”.

These Regulations aim at ensuring fire safety at operating energy facilities of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan and establish key requirements for the safe operation of power plants, grid facilities, and auxiliary infrastructure.

The document defines the main organisational measures, including the allocation of responsibilities for fire safety, the establishment of fire-technical commissions and voluntary fire brigades, as well as the implementation of a strict fire safety regime on enterprise premises. Particular attention is given to regular inspections of equipment and fire suppression systems.

A separate section is devoted to personnel training. The document provides for mandatory employee training, briefings, fire drills, and knowledge assessments to ensure personnel readiness to respond in emergency situations.

In addition, the document regulates the development of internal documentation, including fire safety instructions and maintenance procedures for fire suppression and fire alarm systems, operational plans, and fire response cards. These measures ensure clear coordination of actions among personnel and services in the event of a fire.

These Regulations will help enhance the level of fire safety at energy enterprises, reduce accident risks, and contribute to the sustainable development of Turkmenistan’s energy sector.

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – On 25 March 2026, the Ministry of Justice of Turkmenistan registered the “Rules for the Re-labelling of Primary Equipment at Power Plants of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan”. This regulatory document was developed on the basis of the “Recommendations for the Re-labelling of Primary Equipment at Power Plants of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan”, prepared by the European Union-funded SECCA project. It is aimed at improving the accuracy of capacity accounting and enhancing the efficiency of managing generating assets.

The regulatory document defines the types of power plant equipment subject to re-labelling, the reasons for re-labelling, the elements of technical characteristics (technological parameters) subject to change, the forms of documentation to be prepared for re-labelling and the procedures for its preparation, coordination, and approval in cases where operating parameters are modified. Re-labelling is understood as a change in the nominal or installed capacity (output) and in elements of the equipment’s technical characteristics.

The primary energy equipment subject to re-labelling in accordance with these Recommendations includes stationary steam and hot-water boilers, stationary steam turbines and gas turbine units, electric generators of steam-turbine and gas-turbine power plants, as well as stationary power transformers.

According to the new rules, re-labelling of equipment is permitted only when justified by the results of technical inspections and testing. A multi-level approval procedure is also established, including review by the technical council of the State Corporation “Turkmenenergo”, followed by review by a special commission under the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, coordination with the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Turkmenistan, and authorisation by the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan for changes to the installed capacity of a power plant. Following this, amendments are made to the technical passport on the basis of written authorisation from the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, accompanied by the commission’s protocol.

It is expected that the implementation of this regulatory document will improve the reliability of data on generating capacities, enhance planning of equipment operation, and create conditions for the further modernisation of the country’s energy sector.

Development of Kazakhstan’s electric power sector is the topic of the new episode of the Energiya Joly podcast.

In this episode, the host and the guest discuss key infrastructure projects, new capacities, investments, as well as the role of women in the energy sector – an industry that has traditionally been considered male-dominated.

Host: Zhaksylyk Tokayev, energy and climate expert

Guest: Gulnara Bakhtybayeva, Deputy Director of the Department of Electric Power Development at the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan.

Watch the full episode here (in Russian):

Dushanbe, Tajikistan – The European  Union-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” held a Closing Roundtable in Dushanbe on 4 March 2026 and presented key outcomes of and lessons learned from its activities in Tajikistan. The event gathered representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Ministry of Economy and Trade, Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan, and other government agencies, academia and research institutions, private sector, international development partners, and international financial institutions.

Mr Manucher Safarzoda, Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Mr Hussam Hussein, EU Attaché to the Republic of Tajikistan and Programme Manager, opened the event and welcomed the participants.

SECCA Key Experts Mr Paata Janelidze and Ms Ilze Purina took the floor to present the results of the project work in Tajikistan, focusing on main approaches, activities, and their outcomes. During its implementation period from March 2022 to May 2026, the project has provided a targeted technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity-building support to Tajikistan, which contributed to strengthened legal and regulatory framework and informed decision-making for energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) deployment. In particular, the SECCA project promoted the development of e-mobility and rooftop solar. It supported the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, having developed a set of proposals aimed at optimising and regulating the e-mobility sector. The project also conducted an assessment of the technical potential and economic feasibility of rooftop solar in Dushanbe.

The participants then discussed indicative plans for the further development of topics identified during the SECCA implementation, such as (i) integrated energy and climate planning; (ii) e-mobility development  (iii) promoting investments in EE and small-scale RE; (iv) development of RESCO model in Tajikistan; (v) enhancing capacity for effective participation in the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.

The Roundtable, thus, provided a platform to stakeholders to foster future cooperation and investments, and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to continuously supporting Tajikistan’s green energy transition.

Astana, Kazakhstan – At a Roundtable on regulation of methane emissions, the European Union (EU)-funded SECCA project presented the findings of an analytical study assessing the potential impact of the EU methane regulation on the exports of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, oil and gas companies, research institutions, and other key stakeholders.

Human-caused methane emissions are estimated to contribute to approximately 30% of current global warming. At the same time, the average lifetime of methane in the atmosphere is significantly shorter than of carbon dioxide – around 10-12 years. Measures to reduce methane emissions are regarded as the fastest and most cost-effective way to slow the temperature rise and prevent further worsening of climate conditions in the near term.

The SECCA study analyses methane emissions regulation at the international, European, and national levels, with a particular focus on its implications for Kazakhstan. Specifically, it examines the EU Regulation on methane emissions reduction in the energy sector, the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), and methane regulation in Kazakhstan.

The EU is steadily moving toward specialised and legally binding rules that cover specific sectors, processes, and market participants. Importantly, these requirements apply not only to operators within the EU, but also to energy suppliers from third countries. Meanwhile, OGMP 2.0, operating under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme, is de-facto establishing a global standard for corporate methane reporting and emissions management in the oil and gas sector.

For Kazakhstan, these developments carry not only environmental but also direct trade and economic implications. Historically, methane regulation in the country has evolved within the broader framework of greenhouse gas and environmental protection policies, without treating methane as a standalone category. This creates a potential gap between the European model and existing national approaches.

Drawing on the EU experience, the SECCA study puts forward a set of recommendations and proposes an evolutionary scenario for Kazakhstan:

1. Developing a dedicated conceptual framework for methane emissions management;
2. Gradually introducing leak detection and repair programmes, including regular equipment inspections, mandatory recording of detected leaks, repair timelines, and documented verification of repair effectiveness;
3. Introducing methane intensity indicators as a tool for transparency and comparability, particularly for export-oriented supply chains, in order to reduce external economic risks and prepare for possible future requirements from key trading partners;
4. Establishing the system of independent verification to ensure the accuracy and credibility of data, by leveraging existing environmental audit and accreditation mechanisms and thereby improving transparency and data comparability without introducing unnecessary regulatory structures or excessive administrative burdens.

The study also emphasises that Kazakhstan’s methane reduction potential extends beyond the oil and gas sector. The coal industry, agriculture, and waste management each require differentiated regulatory instruments. European experience demonstrates the effectiveness of combining sector-specific approaches, economic incentives, and phased implementation of requirements. According to the authors, adapting this model would enable Kazakhstan to establish a methane management system aligned with the European framework while tailored to national conditions.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan – The EU-funded SECCA project supported the development of rooftop solar (RTS) in Uzbekistan through a series of technical meetings held in 2025 and early 2026. These meetings aimed to review the country’s technical potential, address regulatory and infrastructure challenges, and evaluate economic viability to deploy RTS.

The first meeting held on 3 July 2025 was attended by the representatives of Uzbekenergoinspekcija and LLC Yashil Energiya. It focused on presenting the results of a technical potential assessment conducted by the SECCA experts.

The second technical meeting took place on 24 October 2025, with Uzbekenergoinspekcija, where SECCA presented its evaluation of a roadmap for increasing the use of Uzbekistan’s solar potential developed by Uzbekenergonadzor. The evaluation took into account existing grid infrastructure limitations and proposed ways for improvement, in particular, through a revised financial-economic model. SECCA proposed to consider financial discounting, conduct sensitivity analysis, and reconsider the optimistic and reference scenario.

The most recent meeting, held on 18 February 2026, also with Uzbekenergoinspekcija, focused on the results of a comprehensive financial analysis of RTS deployment in Uzbekistan. The study assessed the feasibility of installing up to 6,000 MW of RTS capacity nationwide by 2035 under three CAPEX scenarios: optimistic, a reference case, and pessimistic. Key financial indicators – Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) – were calculated from both a private investor perspective and a government perspective. In addition to financial viability, the analysis highlighted significant environmental benefits, including reduced natural gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing the strategic value of scaling up rooftop solar across the country.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan – The European Union-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” held a Closing Roundtable in Tashkent, presenting achievements and lessons learned from its work in Uzbekistan. The event was attended by key stakeholders: representatives of the Agency for Strategic Development and Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Energy, the Fund for Reconstruction and Development, the National Energy Efficiency Agency, as well as representatives of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Uzbekistan, international financial institutions, academia, and others.

Mr Abdulla Abdukadirov, First Deputy Director of the Agency for Strategic Development and Reforms, and H.E. Mr Toivo Klaar, EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, opened the Roundtable and welcomed the participants. In their remarks, they highlighted the importance of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU in strengthening energy security, further advancing energy sector reforms, and accelerating Uzbekistan’s green transition.

SECCA experts Mr Paata Janelidze, Ms Ilze Purina, and Mr Gayrat Tashmatov presented the project’s main approaches, activities, and results in Uzbekistan.

As defined by the project mission, SECCA has aimed to advance a more sustainable energy mix in Central Asia, including Uzbekistan. During its implementation period from March 2022 to May 2026, the project has provided a targeted technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity-building support, contributing to the following key results:

• strengthened legal and regulatory framework for improving energy efficiency in buildings, including support for the development of mechanisms to stimulate the market for energy service companies (ESCOs)
• enhanced institutional capacities for energy governance, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making, particularly through the regional initiative on energy modelling
• enhanced support for renewable energy deployment, through the conducted assessment of technical potential of rooftop solar projects
• improved regional research cooperation to advance Uzbekistan’s participation in the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme
• increased public awareness about the benefits of sustainable energy achieved through EU Sustainable Energy Days campaign events, competitions, and other activities involving schools, universities, and general public.

Participants discussed priorities for future cooperation. Mr Sven Ernedal, Programme Manager of EU4SustainableCentralAsia, presented ongoing and planned activities in Uzbekistan, outlining opportunities for continuity and further support beyond SECCA.

The Roundtable reaffirmed the European Union’s long-term commitment to supporting Uzbekistan’s sustainable energy transition, in line with the country’s national policies and objectives. 

In this episode of the Energiya Joly podcast, the Host and the Guest discuss natural gas as a key element of power system resilience. They examine whether the country has sufficient gas amid growing demand from households and the power sector, what risks arise from dependence on a few large fields, and why by 2030 a gas deficit could become a systemic challenge. Gas pricing and tariff implications are also addressed.

Host: Zhaksylyk Tokayev, energy and climate expert
Guest: Askar Ismailov, oil and gas expert, Founder of Pace Analytics, Advisor for Central Asia at The Global Gas Centre

Watch the full episode here (in Russian):