Non-hydropower Renewable Energy in Central Asia: Assessment of Deployment Status and Analysis of Underlying Factors

Elena Shadrina

doi:10.2139/ssrn.3603880

Abstract

Despite globally progressing energy transition, deployment of non-hydro-power renewable energy (NHRE) in Central Asia is moderate and varies by country. This paper aims to explain why Central Asian countries with significant challenges in the energy sector are least engaged in NHRE development. In doing so, the paper first reviews scholarly work on renewable energy (RE) deployment in developing countries. For assessing the NHRE development status in Central Asian countries, the paper adopts a two-stage analytical framework. First, it assesses the current situation in these states’ energy sectors in connection to their economic growth and development, environmental sustainability and energy security. Then, it analyses the preparedness of the national energy sectors for NHRE diffusion in six dimensions: structure of energy sector, RE regulation, institutions and governance, capital and investment, infrastructure and business environment, and human capital. Based on the results of the two-stage analysis, the paper argues that more advanced economically and institutionally countries are more likely to commence NHRE development.

Highlights

The term “renewable energy”, according to the International Renewable EnergyAgency (IRENA), embraces hydro- and geothermal power, bioenergy, as well as ocean, solar, and wind energy (while small-scale hydropower (SSHP) is considered to be aligned with the concept of renewable energy, the inclusion of large-scale hydropower (LSHPP) in the category of renewables is debated).Historically, the nations were predominantly harnessing hydropower potential, for it was comparatively inexpensive and abundant [1]
Energy-resource poor developing economies are less competent of employing renewables for the lack of domestic innovative and financing potential, they gradually incorporate non-hydropower renewable energy (NHRE) solutions [12,13] helping them progress towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) [14,15]
The paper examined the case of NHRE deployment in Central Asia

Summary

Introduction

The nations were predominantly harnessing hydropower potential, for it was comparatively inexpensive and abundant [1]. Such virtues of hydropower have been especially significant for developing economies, including those in Central Asia, helping them to solve the problems of energy shortage, poverty, and inequality [2,3,4]. Energy-resource poor developing economies are less competent of employing renewables for the lack of domestic innovative and financing potential, they gradually incorporate NHRE solutions [12,13] helping them progress towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) [14,15]

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion