USAID consults Turkmenistan about renewable energy issues

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has organized a seminar in Ashgabat as part of the long-term program "RESET" on the development of electric power, Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reported on Jan. 9.

The program has been implemented since 2010. The next event was dedicated to the sphere of renewable energy and technology of intelligent networks "Smart Grid".

The newspaper said that the issues such as the role of renewable sources in the overall electricity generation process, technology for generation and storage of electricity, features and limitations of the use of renewable energy sources and their integration into the power supply system were discussed.

According to Turkmen experts the priority areas include electricity, the issue of studying and the use of alternative energy sources - solar, wind, geothermal water, biogas, etc., use of clean and waste-free technologies.

The country has large areas where the priority development of renewable energy is appropriate. They include the areas of decentralized power supply with low population density, areas of centralized power supply with a large deficit of capacity; cities and centers of recreation and treatment of the population, areas with problems of energy supply to private housing, farms, and places of seasonal work.

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Ahmed Penjiyev said in one of his articles that the legislative regulation is necessary for the following issues: the implementation of the right of citizens of any region of Turkmenistan for stable providence with the necessary amount of energy; ensuring sustainable heat and power supply for the population living in decentralized regions, primarily in inaccessible areas of the Karakum desert and remote rural areas.

"In addition, these measures will contribute to providing the industry, agriculture, transportation systems, communications and special technology with autonomous energy sources; eliminating environmental hazards of energy production, bringing its indicators in the country to the world level, and the de-monopolization of power supply of regions and the country's population," the scientist said.