Almaty, Kazakhstan – As part of its work to build capacities of the CA countries to develop national energy sector models, the European Union (EU) funded SECCA project has set up the Regional Group on Modelling consisting of two young professionals from each Beneficiary Country and delivered three regional trainings on energy modelling in the period from September 2024 to January 2025. These trainings aimed to transfer the basic concepts, and the theoretical and practical approaches, related to analysing and modelling complex energy systems at the national and regional level.

The third and final regional training on model-based energy and climate analysis took place this week from 28 to 31 January 2025. It gathered the young professionals and national experts from line ministries and agencies of the Central Asian (CA) countries. They learned about technical practices for quantitative modelling analysis and their links with the preparation of strategic documents and integrated energy and climate plans.

By convening these regional trainings, the SECCA project intends to create a long-lasting virtuous bridge between the SECCA project activities and the local decision-makers, improve the local system-thinking and the knowledge-based data-driven decision making in the energy and climate sectors, enhance the technical and policy dialogue among the different stakeholders within each country, and among the CA countries, in the energy and climate fields, and generate practical impacts (improved capacities) that go beyond the duration of the SECCA project.

The first training was held on 24-27 September 2024, while the second training took place on 11-13 December 2024.

Online – 60 students and faculty staff members of higher educational institutions in Central Asia (CA) attend an online training “Introduction to Sustainable Energy: Theory and Practice” from 20 January to 28 February 2025.

This tailor-made training is the European Union’s (EU) award to the winners and participants of the Students debates organised within “The European Union – Central Asia Sustainable Energy Days” in all countries of CA in 2024. It is organised by the EU-funded SECCA project and delivered by the Florence School of Regulation (FSR, Italy), a European centre of excellence for innovative trainings on energy and climate.

The training is structured into nine modules. Each module includes a live session with the instructors and researchers of FSR, as well as additional self-study material. At the end of the training, the attendees will have learned about the EU energy and climate policy context, internal EU energy market, power sector regulation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, e-mobility, consumer engagement and empowerment, gender dimension of sustainable energy strategies, as well as present challenges and perspectives in the sector in the CA region and countries.

Astana, Kazakhstan – The European Union (EU) funded SECCA project held a series of meetings with the national stakeholders in Kazakhstan dedicated to the development of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). The project experts met with the representatives of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, JSC Institute of Economic Research, the Association of the Regional Environmental Initiatives “ECOJER”, and the Association Oil and Energy Complex Organisations “KAZENERGY”.

During these meetings, SECCA Senior Expert on NECP Murman Margvelashvili shared the experience of the EU and the Energy Community Contracting Parties in NECP development and implementation. He presented on the plan’s structure and main elements, policy measures, responsibilities of implementing authorities, public consultations, data management, monitoring, and reporting under the NECP.

NECP is an important tool for achieving the sustainable development goals and effective energy transition. These plans focus primarily on decarbonisation, improving energy efficiency, enhancing energy security, deploying renewable energy, and supporting research and innovation in these areas. All EU Member States must develop, implement, and update their NECPs to reach the EU’s climate targets.

“Energiya Joly” Podcast explores the path to sustainable energy in Central Asia. It has been launched by the EU-funded SECCA Project.

In Episode 5 of the podcast, the host and the guest discuss key aspects of Kazakhstan’s national electricity grid and its importance in the energy transition. They talk about the current challenges in the Central Asian context, the prospects for the further development of the grid and the integration of renewable energy sources.

Host: Zhaksylyk Tokayev, Energy and Climate Expert, SECCA’s National Coordinator in Kazakhstan.

Guest: Almaz Saukhimpv, Managing Director for Development of National Electric Grids of Kazakhstan Electric Grid Operating Company JSC (KEGOC)..

Watch the full episode here (in Russian):

This podcast is funded by the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of the consortium led by Stanted and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic – President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov signed the Law «On Amendments to the Law on Energy Saving». The document is aimed at the effective and rational use of energy resources.

These amendments allow for the energy survey of organisations, enterprises, buildings in terms of the rational use of fuel and energy resources, regardless of their form of ownership.

They establish the responsibility of state administrations and local self-governing bodies to ensure the efficient use of energy resources in buildings under their management. This includes measures such as introducing the use of highly efficient energy-consuming appliances and equipment.

The amendment to Article 11 on the accounting of fuel and energy aims to introduce mandatory provision of consumers with metering devices for electricity, natural gas, and thermal energy supplied through centralised heating systems. It also seeks to improve billing systems for all types of consumers. The accounting of the total volume of energy resources will be carried out in accordance with procedures determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The European Union (EU) funded SECCA project continues to provide technical support to the state partners in Kyrgyzstan, which amongst other included improving energy efficiency in public buildings, developing pilot inventory of public buildings, proposing a new framework for quality control of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). The project also shares the experience of the EU Member States, Energy Community Contracting Parties, and other Central Asian countries with Kyrgyzstan on the development and promotion of sustainable energy.

“Energiya Joly” Podcast explores the path to sustainable energy in Central Asia. It has been launched by the EU-funded SECCA Project.

In Episode 4 of the podcast, the host and the guests talk about smart grid and how it helps to integrate renewable energy sources, reduce energy losses and contribute to the tariff stability.

Host: Zhaksylyk Tokayev, Energy and Climate Expert, SECCA’s National Coordinator in Kazakhstan.

Guests: Nurkhat Zhakiyev, PhD, Director of Science and Innovation Department of Astana IT University, and Alexander Kuzmenko, Member of the Board of Trustees of Almaty University of Energy and Communication.

Watch the full episode here (in Russian):

This podcast is funded by the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of the consortium led by Stanted and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan – Uzbekistan has appointed Mr Nabijon Holov, the National Contact Point (NCP) Coordinator of Uzbekistan for the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, also as the NCP for its Cluster 5 – “Climate, Energy and Mobility”.

In this capacity, he will serve as a primary point of contact for inquiries related to participation in the Horizon Europe initiatives and projects and, in particular, in the areas of climate change, sustainable energy, and sustainable mobility.

The EU’s SECCA project assists the countries of Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, to create pre-conditions and build capacities for more active participation in the Horizon Europe programme. It provides capacity building support to all appointed NCPs in the region to ensure they can effectively fulfill their role.

The network of NCPs is the main structure to provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe, including choosing the relevant topics and types of action, advising on administrative and contractual matters, training and assistance in proposal writing, assistance in partner search, and so on.

For contact details of Mr Holov, please visit this page.

Almaty, Kazakhstan – The second regional training on model-based energy and climate analysis organised by the European Union (EU) funded SECCA project took place on 11-13 December 2024. The young professionals from Central Asian countries, members of the Regional Group on Modelling, developed their skills in energy statistics and modelling analyses. They learned to select, collect, elaborate, utilise energy and non-energy statistics and data for quantitative analyses in the integrated energy and climate area.

This event is the second in the series of three planned trainings. The first training was held on 24-27 September 2024, and the third will take place in January 2025. These trainings aim to transfer the basic concepts, and the theoretical and practical approaches, related to analysing and modelling complex energy systems at the national and regional level.

By convening these regional trainings, the SECCA project intends to create a long-lasting virtuous bridge between the SECCA project activities and the local decision-makers, improve the local system-thinking and the knowledge-based data-driven decision making in the energy and climate sectors, enhance the technical and policy dialogue among the different stakeholders within each country, and among the CA countries, in the energy and climate fields, and generate practical impacts (capacity building) that go beyond the duration of the SECCA project.

Astana, Kazakhstan – The European Union (EU)-funded SECCA project continues to provide assistance to the Central Asian research institutions and universities in creating conditions and building capacities for more active participation in the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.

In cooperation with the Horizon Europe National Contact Points (NCPs) in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the project shared the Cooperation profile template with 13 universities in Kyrgyzstan and more than 20 universities in Uzbekistan. Initially piloted in Kazakhstan and now replicated in other Central Asian countries, this template helps organisations in the region to find European partners for the programme calls.

The project also strengthens capacities of the newly appointed NCPs in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, and continues to provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing to the scientists and researchers in the region.

To date, 42 projects and 62 organisations benefited from participation in Horizon Europe and its predecessor Horizon 2020.

How to participate and contacts of NCPs

“Energiya Joly” is the podcast launched by the SECCA Project. It explores the path to sustainable energy in Central Asia.

In its Episode 3, the host and the guest talk about critical raw materials, their role in energy transition, and how Kazakhstan can become a key player in the global supply chain.

Host: Zhaksylyk Tokayev, Energy and Climate Expert, SECCA’s National Coordinator in Kazakhstan.

Guest: Turar Zholmagambetov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Industry of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan.

Watch the full episode here:

Podcast channel on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EnergiyaJoly.