finance
Report Recommends Shift to Wind, Solar, and Nuclear Energy in Central Asia
A report from the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy suggests Central Asia needs less reliance on hydropower and more wind, solar, and nuclear energy to address an electricity deficit. This change aims to support economic growth and trade goals in the region. The report highlights challenges from population growth and water resource depletion.
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The report states that reducing dependence on hydropower and increasing use of wind, solar, and nuclear energy could help eliminate an electricity deficit in the region. This adjustment is intended to support economic growth and trade ambitions. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have announced plans to develop electricity-intensive digital economies, including AI hubs and data centers.
However, the report indicates that these countries currently lack sufficient power-generating capacity to achieve their economic agendas. Hydropower has served as a major electricity source in the region for the past 75 years.
The report notes that population growth and the depletion of water resources add complexity to expanding power capacity. It states that expanding hydropower could exacerbate water-energy tensions in the region. Instead, the report recommends developing solar, wind, and small modular nuclear reactors.
The report also emphasizes the need for stronger regional grid coordination to enhance the chances of success. It describes the challenge for regional leaders as developing new power sources quickly enough to meet economic ambitions.
