Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – On 5 December 2025, SECCA project experts held a series of technical meetings with representatives of relevant organisations in the Kyrgyz Republic on the topic: “Improving the Energy Efficiency of Public Buildings: Approaches and Recommendations. Implementation of ISO 50001 at the National Level in Kazakhstan”.

During the meetings, SECCA national coordinator in Kazakhstan Zhaxylyk Tokayev presented a new approach being developed within the project for working with data on public buildings. The core idea of this approach is the following: the SECCA project, together with the Electric Power and Energy Saving Development Institute of Kazakhstan, conducted an analysis of the current state of data management in the public building sector and proposed a comprehensive 10-step methodology aimed at more effective use of the State Energy Register and the subsequent in-depth analysis of priority facilities from an energy-efficiency standpoint.

One of the key components of this methodology is a system for prioritiыing entities listed in the State Energy Register that are public institutions, enabling their phased selection for in-depth monitoring and on-site energy audits.

The proposal essentially establishes a systematic selection mechanism that takes into account both the large volume of data and the high number of facilities. At present, more than 24,000 public and quasi-public sector entities are registered in Kazakhstan, making it practically impossible to conduct energy audits for all facilities at once. In this context, the developed methodology uses a set of seven indicators that can be digitised and used to rank facilities by priority. In addition, a verification questionnaire has been created to minimise risks associated with human error during data entry and to ensure a more complete and accurate picture of each facility.

The purpose of presenting this approach was to share experience, demonstrate SECCA’s practical work, and help promote a more structured and systematic way of working with the public sector.

It is important to note that in all five beneficiary countries of the project, social and public buildings are fully funded by the state budget, making energy efficiency measures in this sector strategically important.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – On 3 December 2025, the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic hosted the Third Meeting of the Inter-Institutional Working Group (IIWG) on ESCO and EPC quality assurance. The IIWG was established by the Ministry of Energy to strengthen energy efficiency (EE) services market and building energy performance certification standards. The event brought together members of the IIWG and the SECCA project experts.

The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from Talgat Asan uulu, Head of the Renewable Energy Development Department of the Ministry of Energy, and Paata Janelidze, SECCA Team Leader.

The first technical presentation delivered by SECCA experts Nicolae Zaharia and Maratbek Cholponkulov offered a legal overview of the current regulatory framework and highlighted the potential for implementing ESCO mechanisms in Kyrgyzstan. This analysis outlined existing regulatory gaps and provided recommendations to support the emergence of an ESCO market, as one of the key tools to achieve sustainable energy-saving in Kyrgyzstan.

Then, SECCA experts Gulsara Kasymova and Mirgul Aidarova detailed the draft Regulation on monitoring and quality control of completed work on energy certification of buildings. This draft Regulation has been developed in accordance with the national Laws “On Energy Saving” and “On Energy Efficiency of Buildings”, and defines conditions and procedure for conducting quality control of building energy performance certificates in Kyrgyzstan. The presentation underscored the importance of robust quality assurance mechanisms to ensure transparency, trust, and standardisation in the country’s EE sector.

The meeting concluded with an open discussion, during which participants exchanged views on the next steps required to support development and operation of ESCOs and enhance energy certification practices in Kyrgyzstan.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – On 2 December 2025, the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic hosted a Technical Meeting on the development of rooftop solar (RTS) in the country, bringing together members of the Inter-Institutional Working Group on the renewable energy strategy development, representatives of the governmental energy agencies, international projects, private energy companies, etc.

The SECCA Team Leader Paata Janelidze opened the discussion with a presentation on the promotion of RTS in the European Union and provided an overview of the project’s technical assistance in advancing RTS across Central Asia – specifically in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan – highlighting the ongoing analytical work that aims to strengthen national policy planning.

The meeting continued with an analysis of the results of the modelling of the cost-effective deployment of RTS in Kyrgyzstan, carried out using the Homer Pro software. SECCA Senior Expert Mansurdzhon Kudusov presented simulation results on six different building types in Bishkek: an apartment building, a school, a medical institution, a shopping centre, a restaurant, and a commercial-use building. Using input data, such as solar resource, tariffs, equipment capital and operational expenditures, service life and discount rate, the optimal PV capacities, configuration options, and sensitivity to CAPEX and tariffs were determined.

SECCA Senior Expert, RTS Workstream Lead, Darius Krauciunas then presented the results of the economic analysis for three payment schemes for grid-connected RTS systems: without net metering, with net metering, and with a feed-in tariff. This assessment determined the marginal CAPEX that could make the financing of a RTS project economically viable. The analysis revealed that investments can be feasible for some types of buildings in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in the commercial and public sectors, even with the current electricity tariffs, provided that CAPEX remain in the range of 400-420 USD/kW installed.

Each presentation was followed by an open and productive discussion. The insights generated during the meeting will support the Ministry of Energy in its next steps toward renewable energy deployment.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan – The European Union-funded SECCA project participated in the Women Scientists Forum “SheScience 2025” held on 27 November 2025. This event, hosted by the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan with support from international partners, brought together women scientists, policymakers, donors, and research leaders from Central Asia to strengthen regional cooperation and integration in science, research, and innovation.

The forum served as a platform for dialogue on shared challenges and future-oriented solutions. It focused on critical topics such as elevating women’s leadership in science, overcoming barriers to regional scientific collaboration, promoting the role of green technologies and artificial intelligence for achieving sustainable development, and mapping out financial tools to support regional endeavours.

Panel discussions and interactive working sessions enabled participants to exchange experiences, identify common priorities, and develop practical proposals for strengthening cross-border collaboration.

SECCA’s participation supported the forum’s focus on international research cooperation. SECCA Key Expert Ilze Purina presented on the project’s work in enhancing participation of Central Asian research institutions and universities in the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and highlighted the opportunities offered by the programme. This input complemented the forum’s emphasis on expanding financing tools and strengthening regional and global scientific partnerships.

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.

The Regulations on the Provision of Energy Services were developed by the National Energy Efficiency Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers, taking into account proposals from international organisations and experts. In particular, technical assistance in preparing the document was also provided by 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.

At the same time, 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, and the repayment or compensation of part of the interest on “Green Renovation” loans. These regulatory documents were prepared by the National Energy Efficiency Agency, taking into account proposals from international organizations and experts. 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.