Representatives from the energy sector and energy experts from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as Russian experts as observers, discussed the issues of efficient use of water resources through hydraulic structures during the 2024 irrigation period, Uzbek media reports.
In recent years, these countries have been experiencing shortages of both water and electricity. This was particularly noticeable in the winter period of 2023-2024 in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Due to these shortages, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan were forced to purchase electricity from Turkmenistan. Bishkek even began importing electricity from Russia via Kazakhstan. Additionally, the region needs to address water resource issues, especially against the backdrop of threats from Afghanistan.
Such meetings are not being held for the first time. For instance, in February of this year, representatives of the energy and water management agencies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan discussed issues of water-energy cooperation. That expert meeting also took place in Tashkent.
Among the Central Asian countries, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have significant hydropower potential, which is used only at 13-18% of its capacity. The growing demand for electricity is pushing the countries in the region to build not only hydro (in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan) and thermal (in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan) power plants but also to urgently consider the construction of small nuclear power plants in cooperation with Russia. These issues are being closely addressed by the state structures and experts of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 23, 2024