The Energy Situation in Central Asia: A Comprehensive Energy Review Focusing on Rural Areas

Mathias Ehrenwirth,Christoph Trinkl,Wilfried Zörner,Kedar Mehta,Rick Greenough

doi:10.3390/en14102805

Abstract

The northern part of the globe is dominated by industrialisation and is well-developed. For many years, the southern part of the world (South Asia, Africa etc.) has been a target of research concentrating on access to energy (mainly electricity) in rural regions. However, the Central Asian region has not been a focus of energy research compared to South East Asia and Africa. Despite plentiful domestically available energy resources, the energy supply in Central Asia is very unevenly distributed between urban and rural areas. Almost half of the total population of Central Asia lives in rural areas and there is a lack of access to modern energy services to meet primary needs. To analyse the energy situation (i.e., electricity, heating, hot water consumption, cooking, etc.) in rural Central Asia, this paper reviews residential energy consumption trends in rural Central Asian regions as compared to urban areas. Furthermore, the paper illustrates the potential of renewable energies in Central Asia. To perform the study, a qualitative comparative analysis was conducted based on a literature review, data, and statistical information. In summary, the presented article discusses the rural energy situation analytically and provides in-depth insights of Central Asian energy infrastructure.

Highlights

IntroductionUniversal access to affordable and clean energy access by 2030 is one of the goals defined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 7)
Muhumuza et al [5] recognised that provision of modern energy services remains a key problem and challenge for rural populations
The previous sections of the article provided the background and detailed information required to realise the complexity associated with the energy supply in rural Central Asia

Summary

Introduction

Universal access to affordable and clean energy access by 2030 is one of the goals defined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 7). Researchers have proposed several energy-related solutions to meet basic human needs, such as electricity, heating, cooling, clean cooking, etc., and in despite their work, billions of people are still deprived of even primary energy services [1,2,3,4]. Universal energy access is considered as one of the most crucial targets among all Sustainable. Carrillo [4] identified that the issue of energy scarcity and energy security are especially critical for rural populations of developing countries. Muhumuza et al [5] recognised that provision of modern energy services remains a key problem and challenge for rural populations

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion