Mary, Turkmenistan – A training workshop on “The Role of Sustainable Energy in Environmental Protection: Studying the Features of Renewable Energy Development in Turkmenistan’s Climatic Conditions” was jointly organised by the European Union (EU) funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia” (SECCA) and the UNDP project “Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Development of Green Cities in Ashgabat and Awaza” in Mary from 10 to 28 February 2025.
The seminar was held in a hybrid format and brought together specialists from the Ministry of Energy, faculty members and students from the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan (SEIT), experts from the SEIT-based Scientific and Production Center “Renewable Energy Sources” as well as experts and international consultants of the EU’s SECCA project and the UNDP’s sustainable cities project.
Participants explored opportunities for renewable energy development considering Turkmenistan’s climatic conditions, international experience in regulatory frameworks, best practices in renewable energy utilisation, and EU countries’ experience in implementing renewable energy technologies in public buildings and the residential sector.
International consultants provided insights into the selection and maintenance of solar power plant equipment for operation in regions with high levels of airborne mechanical impurities (such as sand).
Seminar attendees also studied the technical operation of Turkmenistan’s new hybrid solar-wind power plant, installed on the shores of Altyn Asyr Lake, and discussed its expected performance and benefits. This power plant is the first in Turkmenistan to generate clean electricity solely from solar and wind energy, without greenhouse gas emissions.
As part of the training seminar, participants visited the production facilities of the Scientific and Production Center “Renewable Energy Sources,” enhancing their practical skills in designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating clean energy generation systems.
The seminar also included a presentation on the development of the regulatory and legislative framework for renewable energy in Turkmenistan, covering the adopted “Law on Renewable Energy Sources” and the “Law on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving”. The UNDP project presented on the National Strategy for Renewable Energy Development in Turkmenistan until 2030, developed with the UNDP support and approved by a Presidential Decree.
This training workshop marked another step toward strengthening the capacity of SEIT faculty in preparing young specialists for Turkmenistan’s power sector.
Mr Paata Janelidze, SECCA Team Leader and Key Expert, noted: “Energy efficiency and renewable energy play a key role in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The topics covered in the workshop are particularly relevant for Turkmenistan in addressing climate change challenges and achieving climate goals. They also contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The participation of women in this seminar is especially valuable in the context of SDG 5 “Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls”.
