Electricity in Turkmenistan in 2023
In Turkmenistan, the current landscape of electricity consumption is overwhelmingly dominated by fossil fuels. A staggering 99.97% of the country's electricity generation comes from these non-renewable sources, leaving close to none for low-carbon or clean energy options. This lopsided reliance on fossil energy is concerning, given the negative environmental impacts associated with fossil fuels such as climate change and air pollution. Integrating more clean energy could significantly benefit the environment and public health by reducing harmful emissions. Unfortunately, the state of low-carbon electricity generation in Turkmenistan is bleak, with just 1 kWh per person from these greener sources.
Is Electricity Growing in Turkmenistan?
In terms of electricity growth, Turkmenistan has seen a slight rise in per capita electricity consumption, now at 4,546 kWh per person, up from the previous high of 4,509 kWh per person in 2022. This increase of 37 kWh per person indicates some level of growth but is rather marginal. On the other hand, the generation of low-carbon electricity remains stagnant, registering only 1 kWh per person, the same as last year and lower than the peak of 2 kWh observed in 2016. This stagnation is worrisome, and it highlights the urgent need for Turkmenistan to shift its focus towards expanding its low-carbon electricity generation to keep pace with increasing global demand.
Suggestions
To foster growth in low-carbon electricity, Turkmenistan could benefit from looking at regions that have been successful in adopting clean energy. Countries like France and Slovakia are leading the way in nuclear power, with nuclear energy supplying 69% and 64% of their electricity, respectively. Similarly, states like Iowa and South Dakota generate more than half of their electricity from wind power. Turkmenistan could draw lessons from these regions to develop its nuclear and solar infrastructure. Investing in nuclear and solar energy offers a path toward sustainable energy independence and environmental responsibility. With similar geographical and climatic conditions, Turkmenistan has the potential to harness solar energy effectively, positioning it as a promising area for future development.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity generation in Turkmenistan reveals a pattern of inactivity. Since the early 1990s, hydroelectric energy saw no increase in output, maintaining zero change across multiple points in time, such as 1992, 1993, and beyond. Simultaneously, despite a global shift towards solar energy, Turkmenistan saw no increase in solar electricity output from 2010 onward. This lack of progress over the decades signifies a missed opportunity to diversify energy sources and reduce the country’s dependency on fossil fuels. To ensure a brighter energy future, the country must prioritize investment and policy shifts to embrace low-carbon electricity sources.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.