February 11, 2020, Almaty, Kazakhstan – Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) concluded a workshop for the Central Asian Ministries of Energy, utilities and power system operators to discuss benefits of regional electricity trade and to review energy market models applicable to Central Asia.

Workshop participants learned the conceptual principles of market operations, best practices and alternatives, considering benefits and potential issues in the Central Asia power system context. Participants also discussed the applicability of concepts and models presented in the context of the region.

Speaking at the beginning of the workshop, USAID Central Asia Mission Director Chris Edwards stated, “The model you decide on will serve as a foundation for the next decade, enabling an increase in the volume of energy trading, promoting economic and social development across the region. USAID will continue its assistance to the countries of Central Asia by developing a roadmap for the implementation of the selected energy market model”.

In 2019 Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan signed memoranda of understanding and/or action plans in support of a Central Asia regional electricity market, committing to the development an enhanced energy trading market. Additionally, with the support of USAID, countries created regional working groups on technical, legal/regulatory and market issues. Today’s workshop was the first market working group meeting, laying the groundwork for further cooperation on regional energy among the countries of Central Asia.

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 USAID began it assistance to establish a Central Asia regional electricity market in 2018 to promote the region’s long-term energy security and economic growth. A regional energy market will serve as a platform for an expanded Central Asia-South Asia regional power market that will deploy the lowest-cost power in support of greater economic and social development. USAID’s long-term objective is to establish an integrated power market that ensures fair and consistent transactions for all Central Asian countries; common standards for performance; fair and non-discriminatory pricing; and access to the power grid. For more information, please visit www.ptfcar.org/carem. USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. To know more, visit: https://www.usaid.gov/central-asia-regional.