Electricity in Turkmenistan in 2023
In 2023, Turkmenistan’s electricity sector remains overwhelmingly reliant on fossil fuels, accounting for almost all - 99.97% - of the country's electricity generation. This indicates a stark disparity, with close to none of the electricity being generated from low-carbon sources. Fossil fuels have been the cornerstone of Turkmenistan’s electricity generation for many years, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. This reliance on fossil fuels highlights a need for a shift towards more sustainable, clean energy sources to mitigate climate change impacts and improve air quality.
Is Electricity Growing in Turkmenistan?
Over recent years, there has been a minor increase in electricity consumption in Turkmenistan. In 2023, the average electricity consumption reached 4,546 kWh per person, up by 37 kWh from the previous year, suggesting a slight growth in demand. However, the share of low-carbon electricity has not kept pace, remaining stagnant at a mere 1 kWh per person, which is half of the record level seen in 2016. This lack of growth in clean energy is concerning as it shows that Turkmenistan is not moving towards a more sustainable future as rapidly as needed, underscoring the urgency to invest in and expand clean energy infrastructure.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Turkmenistan can look for inspiration from regions with successful clean energy initiatives. For instance, nuclear energy has been a backbone in countries like France and Slovakia, where it provides more than half of the electricity. Emulating their commitment to nuclear energy could be transformative for Turkmenistan. Similarly, wind energy has shown notable success in states such as Iowa and South Dakota, where wind generates close to or over 60% of the electricity. By investing in both solar and nuclear energy, Turkmenistan could significantly boost its clean energy output, reduce its carbon footprint, and align more closely with global sustainability goals.
History
Historically, Turkmenistan’s low-carbon electricity generation has seen little to no change for decades. Throughout the 1990s, the country maintained a static output from hydroelectric power, with consistent years of zero growth. Similarly, since the early 2000s, solar power generation has also shown no progression, remaining unchanged for more than two decades. Without significant development or investment in these low-carbon sources, Turkmenistan finds itself lacking crucial infrastructure needed to transition away from fossil fuels. This stagnation is a clear signal of urgency for a strategic pivot towards clean electricity options to ensure a sustainable and reliable energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.