WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

3.1.4 Turkmenistan
Yingnan Zhang, International Center on Small Hydro
Power
Key facts
Population 5,054,828 1
Area 488,100 km 2 . 1
Climate Subtropical desert 1
Topography Flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes
rising to mountains in the south; low
mountains along border with Iran
(highest point: Gora Ayribaba, 3,139 m) 1
Rain
pattern
Annual average rainfall is 210 mm.
Rainfall peaks in March with 44 mm,
and reaches its lowest point in August
with 1 mm, on average. 2
Electricity sector overview
Electricity in Turkmenistan is mainly generated from
natural gas, with a very small contribution from
hydropower (figure 1). Electrification access is 99.6 per
cent. 3 It has to be noted that Turkmenistan is the only
country where households are provided with free
electricity.
The installed capacity of the power grid of
Turkmenistan is 4,151.7 MW. According to the World
Bank, Turkmenistan generated 0.018 per cent of its
total electricity in 2009 from hydropower, equivalent
to 3 GWh. 4 The electricity sector in Turkmenistan is a
monopoly and is managed by state-owned
Turkmenenergo State Corporation which owns all
electricity generating plants, along with transmission
and distribution facilities.
Hydropower
Natural gas
0.02%
99.98%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%
Figure 1 Electricity generation in Turkmenistan
Source: International Energy Agency 5
Small hydropower sector overview and potential
The birth of Turkmenistan’s power sector is
considered to be in 1913, when the construction of the
Hindu Kush hydropower plant was completed on
Murghab River. Turkmenistan has a small installed
(operating) capacity, approximately 5 MW (figure 2). 6
The Hindu Kush consisted of three hydraulic turbines
manufactured by the Austrian-Hungarian Hans
Company with a total installed capacity of 1.2 MW.
The hydro station is in good technical condition and
serves as a museum exhibit as well. With installed
capacities of 0.6 MW and 3.2 MW respectively,
Kaushut-Bent and Kolkhoz-Bent hydropower plants are
currently being upgraded by an European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development Renewable Energy
Initiative. 6 Besides, there are many proposed small
hydropower projects in Turkmenistan (table 1).
SHP installed capacity
SHP potential
5 MW
23 MW
0 5 10 15 20 25
Figure 2 Small hydropower capacities in
Turkmenistan
Source: Ebrdrenewables 6
Note: Potential estimates vary.
In Turkmenistan, hydropower potential is mainly
located on Murgab and Amu-Daria river basins. The
largest small hydropower potential is concentrated in
the southern part of the Republic on the Murgab and
Tejen rivers and Karakumy canal (figure 2). 6
Renewable energy policy
Turkmenistan has abundant wind and solar power
potential. The Law of Turkmenistan on Energy Saving
was issued to protect the environment. In September
2008, a Law on Hydrocarbon Resources was revised
and approved to encourage foreign investors to buy
property in Turkmenistan. 3 The Renewable Energy
Development Strategy plans to develop renewable
energy frameworks. 7
Table 1
Proposed programme for small hydropower development in Turkmenistan
Type of construction Quantity Potential capacity
(MW)
Reconstruction and rehabilitation
of existing hydro plants
3 4.7
Adding hydro plants to water
management projects 6 52.3
Total 9 57.0
Note
Mostly former rural hydro plants of
capacity between 0.8 and 2.7 MW
Hydro plants of capacity between 2.6
and 15 MW
Region
Iolontan region on Murgab
river
South Turkmenistan.
Karakumy canal, Murgab and
Tenjen Rivers
227