Diversification of energy

Energy Industry

The energy industry is assigned an important role in successfully implementing tasks, including the accelerated industrialization of the national economic complex.

Under the Concept of Development of the Electric Power Industry in Turkmenistan, ultra-modern power plants have been built, generating capacities have been increased many times, and new power transmission lines have been updated and laid, which creates all the conditions for Turkmenistan's further integration into the global energy system.

As part of the session on accelerating the monetization and diversification of energy resources, issues such as renewable energy sources, modernization of existing and construction of new power plants, and new investment projects in gas chemistry and electric power engineering will be considered.

A large-scale project to create a country-wide ring energy system is being successfully implemented. This system will serve as a reliable energy supply to cities and villages, solve problems of socio-economic development, and significantly expand the possibilities for exporting Turkmen electricity.

Currently, 12 power plants with a total capacity of 7,000 MW operate in the country. Eight of them were launched during the years of independence, namely from 2013 to 2021.

In accordance with the project, 4 gas and 2 steam turbines will operate at the new combined cycle power plant, which will have a total capacity of 1,574 MW. It will become the second most powerful power plant in the country, ensuring a reliable power supply to consumers in the Balkan velayat.

The combined cycle is a new type of electricity production characterized by increased efficiency (COP). Its essence lies in generating additional electricity by introducing fuel combustion products from gas turbines into steam turbines at high temperatures.

The introduction of this modern technology is important for the development of waste-free production in the country and, in addition, allows saving natural gas consumed for electricity generation. All production processes at the power plant will be digitalized, automated, and subject to centralized control, which will ensure their high efficiency.

The excess electricity generated here can be sent to the unified ring power grid being created. As is known, the first stage in implementing this grandiose project was the launch of a high-voltage overhead power line along the Akhal-Balkan route in 2021.

In general, creating a single energy ring in the country will strengthen and increase the reliability of the domestic energy grid, systematically increase its capacity reserve, and, if necessary, redistribute electricity in the right direction. By ensuring uninterrupted power supply to the regions and the capital, the implementation of this project will also contribute to an increase in electricity exports.

The next stage in creating the country's energy ring was launching a high-voltage overhead power line along the Mary-Akhal route. Two new gas turbine units (GTU) for electricity generation, with a total design capacity of 70 MW, have also been commissioned at the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries. Combined cycle power plants have an advantage not only in economic terms – they are also more environmentally friendly. By implementing large projects of regional and international significance in the energy sector, Turkmenistan demonstrates a highly responsible approach to environmental protection issues.

Renewable Energy Sources

In March 2021, the Law of Turkmenistan "On Renewable Energy Sources" came into force, in accordance with which innovative projects for the production of electricity are being developed, in particular, using alternative renewable sources - the sun and wind.

Already in July 2022, the construction of the first multi-profile solar and wind power plant with a capacity of 10 MW was launched in the Serdar etrap of the Balkan velayat.

This testifies to the exceptional demand and high prospects for projects using alternative "green" energy, which will subsequently be of great importance for developing the potential and further modernizing the infrastructure of the country's leading sector.