The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan (MoEWR), launched a new five-year, US$39 million regional energy program – the USAID Power Central Asia Activity in Tajikistan on May 28, 2021.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, the program will assist the five Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—to meet their national energy priorities, reap economic benefits from cross-border energy trading, and improve energy security through greater regional connectivity.

The First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources Jamshed Shoimzoda opened the event emphasizing, “We thank USAID and our development partners for their contribution to the development of the energy sector.  And we hope for further fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation.”

During the event, USAID/Tajikistan Acting Mission Director Keith E. Simmons Mr. Simmons stated, “Well-functioning competitive energy markets and energy security are critical to promoting social, economic, and political growth in Central Asia.”

Central Asia has abundant renewable energy resources, like hydropower, from melting glaciers and wind energy from the constant clash of mountain air with warm air from arid regions.  Tajikistan also has excellent potential for increased energy efficiency and a strong willingness for increased regional energy cooperation.  Through this activity, USAID will provide technical services to the region’s governments, energy companies, investors, and development organizations. USAID will also support national and regional energy market reforms, strengthen the regional electricity market, and promote greater adoption of clean energy technologies.

Over the past decade, USAID has played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for an economically sustainable Central Asia regional power system by establishing the operational procedures of the electricity grid and other technical arrangements with each country.  USAID has also enabled the development of renewable energy, improved energy efficiency, digitized the power sector, and enhanced cybersecurity throughout Tajikistan.  The USAID Power Central Asia activity will work with a range of local and regional partners to build local capacity, facilitate cooperation, and support market-based solutions within the private sector.