Brussels, July 05, 2024, The Europe Today: A round table on the energy potential and green policy of Central Asia was held in Brussels, attended by ambassadors from the region’s countries and Mongolia, along with heads of European companies and research institutes. The event was moderated by Marat Terterov, founder of the Brussels Energy Club.
According to the press service of the Turkmen diplomatic mission in Belgium, Ambassador of Turkmenistan Sapar Palvanov presented Turkmenistan’s energy policy, emphasizing its commitment to diversifying the energy sector and developing renewable energy sources. Palvanov highlighted Turkmenistan’s significant potential in solar energy, noting that the country enjoys approximately 3,000 hours of sunlight annually.
In 2021, Turkmenistan adopted a law on renewable energy sources to regulate legal relations at all stages of renewable energy production and attract foreign investment. As part of this initiative, a research and production center for renewable energy was established at the State Energy Institute in Mary.
The Ambassador also discussed Turkmenistan’s efforts to reduce methane emissions and its plans to join the Global Methane Commitment. A Roadmap for the development of international cooperation in this area was approved in June 2023.
Key practical steps mentioned included the opening of Arkadag, a smart city utilizing environmentally friendly technologies, the launch of a 10 MW hybrid power plant in the Balkan velayat based on renewable energy sources, and the construction of a 100 MW solar power plant in the Lebap region.
The round table underscored the importance of the first meeting of the EU-Turkmenistan Energy Working Group, which took place in Brussels in April 2024. This meeting was seen as a pivotal step towards strengthening energy cooperation between the EU and Turkmenistan.
The event concluded with a call for a sustainable energy partnership between the EU and Central Asian countries, including Mongolia. Discussions highlighted the necessity of strategic planning, investment, and international cooperation to transform the region’s energy landscape and promote green policies.
