Asia | Asian insights
Although hydropower can help drive the growth of renewable energy, careful management will be needed to avoid future transboundary river conflicts across the region
an important step toward establishing a secure, modern, diversified and clean energy system,” added Sultanbekov Sabyrbek, the Kyrgyz Republic’s Vice- Minister of Energy. “New renewables technologies are able to provide competitive energy supply, while reducing negative impacts on the environment and human health, bringing opportunities for universal access to modern energy sources.” Kyrgyzstan is among the most energy-intensive countries in the world, leading to recurring energy shortages and reducing economic productivity and competitiveness. While large hydropower is set to retain its role as the backbone of the power sector, the introduction of other renewables such as solar, wind and bioenergy provide a reliable solution to rising energy demand and various social, economic and environmental benefits, according to the report. Twelve key actions are proposed to accelerate
Above: There is significant room for development when it comes to tapping into the Kyrgyz Republic’s hydropower potential
HYDROPOWER HAS A ROLE to play in helping the Kyrgyz Republic achieve its 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 44% and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. A new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) recognises that renewables – primarily hydropower – will be the driver of zero-carbon policies, given their enormous potential in the country. Developed by the Ministry of Energy for the Kyrgyz Republic with support from IRENA, the ‘Renewables Readiness Assessment: The Kyrgyz Republic’, aims to further support the country on this path towards sustainable development of the energy sector. “Kyrgyzstan, like many countries in Central Asia and
around the world, is striving to overcome the enduring challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. “As efforts to secure a comprehensive socio-economic recovery continue, there is a need to focus on far- reaching measures that can help build a more resilient and diversified economy, improve the energy sector’s viability, attract investments in clean energy projects and propel the country towards its climate goals.” “This renewables readiness assessment represents
renewable energy adoption in the country. These point to tariff reforms in the energy sector as key to creating a level playing field, generating revenue and lowering barriers to market entry for renewables. It also highlights the need to implement auctions to attract investments to large-scale hydropower, solar and wind projects. When it comes to unlocking the small-scale renewable
energy market segment, the report recommends net metering, wheeling and other distributed generation policies. It also underscores policies that can promote the decarbonisation of end-uses through renewables-based electrification of heating and transport. There is significant room for development in the
Kyrgyz sector when it comes to tapping into its hydropower potential. The country’s hydropower resources consist of 268 rivers, 97 large canals and 18 reservoirs, with a total electricity generation potential of 143TWh per year. Today, only about 10% of that has been utilised. While the republic uses less than 1% of the 5-8TWh/year of hydropower potential that exists in small rivers and waterways. Seasonal weather patterns and weather extremes can adversely affect the supply of hydropower in the Kyrgyz Republic. Rainfall tends to decline in the winter
Right: Concerns are growing that melting of the Tibetan Plateau glaciers may have implications for regional security
38 | February 2023 |
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