Economic analyst Valentin Trapeznikov underlined that such success is based on reforms and investment.
The observer of Turkmenistan’s economy Valentin Trapeznikov told CentralAsia.news about the priorities for the implementation of the industrial and innovative strategy of the republic. This time, he touched upon the electric power potential of Turkmenistan, which demonstrates high rates of development.
Indicators show high dynamics
Being the basis for the functioning of almost all sectors of the national economy and social sphere, in recent years, the electric power industry of Turkmenistan has really demonstrated high dynamics of development.
The indicators for 2020 prove all of that. So, according to the results of three quarters of the last year, the country produced more than 19.3 billion kWh/h of electricity, the annual assignment is ahead of schedule, and the increase in production compared to the same period of 2019 is 16,3%.
This dynamic development of the industry is based on large-scale reforms and the attraction of significant domestic and foreign investment. It made it possible to build ultra-modern power plants in all regions of Turkmenistan without exception, multiplying generating capacities, and to lay thousands of kilometers of power lines.
The developed and approved Concept for the Development of the Electricity Industry of Turkmenistan for 2013–2020 gave a significant impetus to the expansion of the electric power capacities of the country.
Priority to innovative technologies
Currently, the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan has 12 state power plants with a total capacity of 6,511.2 MW, numerous industrial power grid associations, construction and installation enterprises for laying power lines.
In recent years, all electric power facilities are built on an innovative basis. These are unique ones that have no analogues in the region. In particular, in September 2018, the largest high-tech combined cycle power plant with a capacity of 1,574 MW started operating on the territory of the Mary HPS. Thanks to it, the total capacity of the flagship of the domestic energy sector has doubled.
The program of socio-economic development of Turkmenistan for 2019-2025 provides for the construction of 7 more large energy facilities.
Energy projects that have already been implemented and are planned for implementation can significantly increase the production and export of electricity. For example, in just three quarters of the last year, electricity exports amounted to more than 3.6 billion kWh/h. In general, for the relevant period, the growth in exports of physical and value volumes of electricity in comparison with 2019 amounted to 3.1 and 3.3 times, respectively.
The national production basis is growing
The development of the electric power industry in Turkmenistan continues and that can be demonstrated by several examples.
Thus, a new gas turbine power plant with a capacity of 432 MW in the Charjou district, Lebap province is being built by the Japanese companies Sumitomo Corporation and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, as well as the Turkish Rönesans Holding.
In September of the last year, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took part in the laying of two gas turbine power plants with a design capacity of 70 MW and the reconstruction of the existing power plant at the TCOR. It must be added that Turkmenistan actively cooperates with Iran and Afghanistan to export Turkmen electricity.
In particular, the construction project of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line is of great importance. In February of the last year, the implementation of a project for the construction of a high-voltage transmission line from the Mary hydroelectric station to the Afghan city Herat started on the Turkmen section of the TAP, which, in addition to supplying power to all infrastructure facilities of this highway, will provide an opportunity to export electricity via transit through Afghanistan to Pakistan and other South Asian countries.
Alternative energy has been developed
Industry experts also propose promising power supply projects for new social and industrial complexes based on alternative energy — the use of solar and wind energy. They will be implemented during the construction of Ashgabat City and a modern village near the Turkmen lake «Altyn Asyr».
In February 2020, at a meeting with parliament members the head of the Turkmen state, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov initiated the development of the Law of Turkmenistan «On renewable energy sources».
It should be mentioned that the energy policy of Turkmenistan determines the priorities for the development of the national electric power industry for the coming decades and specific steps to integrate the country into the global energy system.
