Power energy of Turkmenistan: points of growth

Modern energy system is an important factor of dynamic development of the economy of Turkmenistan. Big industrial facilities have been built and are under construction in the country according to the programs of industrialization, which dictates the necessity of modernization of profile infrastructure.

Targeted work is carried out for these purposes according to approved Concept of development of energy industry in the country. Gas turbine power stations provided with advanced equipment from the famous world producers, power lines, distribution power stations are built in the regions, power provision system of the capital, other cities and settlements is renewed according to the Concept.

Due to huge investments to the development of the sphere, production capacities of energy industry have been significantly increased in the last years, which allows completely providing not only internal requirements of the country but export volumes of electricity, which grow every year.

The fact that the growth rate of electricity production was 114.5 percent and the plan has been executed by 106 percent from the beginning of the year indicates stable rates of development of this industry. High indicators have been reached in export of energy – the plan has been fulfilled by 210.4 percent with the growth rate of 274 percent.

Speaking of importance of integrated approach to further development and enhancement of potential of national energy industry, the Head of the State makes special mention of the necessity to continue work on construction of energy circle within the country and construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan power line.

Technological rearmament of profile facilities, improvement of quality of energy supply, construction of energy-intensive industrial facilities, increment of electricity production and its export taking into account growing demand in the world market are the priorities of policy of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov pursued in this sphere.

The infrastructure of the industry has been supplemented with gas turbine power stations built in Ashgabat, Ahal, Balkan, Lebap and Dashoguz Regions under the work carried out for strengthening and modernization of equipment and facility base of the sphere. First in the country combined steam and gas power station has been put into operation at Mary State Power Station.

Ground breaking ceremony of two gas turbine energy blocks with project capacity of 70 megawatts per hour at Turkmenbashy Refinery Complex, which was held with participation of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on September 9, was one of important events of this year, which is held under slogan “Turkmenistan – Home of Neutrality”.

Opening of number of facilities is planned in the next years, which will significantly improve the potential of energy industry. Thus, another 432 MW gas turbine power station is under construction in Charjew district, Lebap Region. The work is carried out together with Sumitomo Corporation, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (Japan) and Turkish Rönesans Holding.

Energy Equipment Maintenance and Service Centre will be opened in 2022. The construction, which was ordered by the State Corporation Türkmenenergo of the Ministry of Energy, is carried out by the consortium of Çalik Enerji Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş (Turkey) and Çalik Enerji Swiss AG (Switzerland).

The Centre, which is under construction on the territory of Byuzmeyin State Power Station, will be specialized in maintenance and service of gas turbines, power generators, transforming substations of various capacity, power distribution boards and other equipment.

Project of construction of Ahal – Balkan and Balkan – Dashoguz high-voltage power lines is implemented at the cost of beneficial credit of Asian Development Bank for establishment of the above-mentioned energy circle. It is planned to build 560 kilometres of 500 KW and 475 kilometres of 220 KW aerial power lines under the project. In addition, two 500/220/110 KW and two 220/110 KW substations will be built.

The project provides installation of power transforming units, switches, breakers, relay protection and automatic breakers. All equipment was made as per European standards. Facilities of circular energy system will be equipped with modern computer programs, which will provide remote control and permanent monitoring of set parameters of work.

Large-scale work in this direction will allow not only stable provision of energy to local consumers – cities and villages of the country as well as big industrial complexes and numerous social facilities that are put into operation every year but also to export the excess in neighbouring states.

In this aspect, special attention is paid to construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan power line, which is built along interstate TAPI gas line.

Jointly developed programme, which includes specific proposals for activation of productive cooperation in energy complex, is to serve as a reliable base for fruitful dialog.

The Agreement of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan (TAP) power line between the Governments of participating countries was signed during ground breaking ceremony of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India gas line in February 2018 with participation of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

In addition to reliable and stable energy provision of all infrastructural facilities of this energy facility, future high-voltage power line will give opportunity to export Turkmen electricity to Pakistan and other countries of South Asia by transit across Afghanistan.

TAP fibre optic line is built on the same route, which together with development of information and communication network between three neighbouring states will support the enhancement of integration processes.

Construction of TAP will give strong impulse to economic development of the region supporting the solution of social and humanitarian issues , strengthening of peace and stability. In particular, it will give opportunity to increase the level of labour occupancy of the population by opening of new work places as well as, as Leader of the nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov says, developed energy, transport, communication and social infrastructure will be made.

February this year, ground breaking ceremony of Turkmen part of this important interstate energy route has been held in Serhetabat etrap.

On the territory of Turkmenistan, 220 KW power line will be built from Mary State Power Station to Turkmen – Afghan border in Mary State Power Station – Herat direction. It is planned to put the line into operation in August 2021.

The Department of International Energy Projects in Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan direction, which was established at the request of the Head of the State under the Ministry of Energy, deals with the TAP project.

It is worth to mention that throughout many years, Turkmenistan provides comprehensive support to neighbouring Afghan people, in particular by provision of electricity on beneficial terms. New substations and power lines are built for increment of volumes of energy export to fraternal country.

According to the President of Turkmenistan, involvement of Afghanistan in implementation of big energy, transport and communication projects on full partnership terms is the main factor of provision of security and stable development in Central Asia.

At the same time, implementation of major project of construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan power line initiated by Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov will be another important step toward integration of our country to the world energy system, expansion of geography of export routes of supply of Turkmen energy carriers.

Implementing big projects of regional and international significance in energy sector, Turkmenistan demonstrates responsible approach to environment protection matters. Active introduction of resource saving, eco-friendly technologies of new generation is a target of social and economic programs, which are steadily implemented.

Wide access to cheap, reliable and modern energy sources are important for steadfast development of all countries and wealth of peoples. Efforts of the world community including in accordance with the UN 2030 Global Development Agenda are aimed at the achievement of this goal.

Being one of the richest countries in the world by natural reserves, Turkmenistan strives to use its colossal potential for the sake of humanity making specific measures in this direction and making significant contribution to the formation of new architecture of global energy security.

Legal status of permanent of neutrality of Turkmenistan, which 25th anniversary is observed by the country in December this year, plays significant role in establishment of productive dialog with interested states and beneficial partnership with foreign business circles.