Eurasian Integration Yearbook 2012

Advanced Economic Cooperationin Sectors and Industries11Integration Processesin the Electric Power Sectorsof the EDB Member StatesAigulAbsametovaAigul Absametova – Candidate of Economic Sciences, MS inManagement, University of Edinburgh, UK. Senior Analyst atthe EDB Strategy and Research Department, Economic AnalysisUnit. Work experience includes consulting, banking, internationaldevelopment institutions and educational sectors and businesses.E-mail: absametova_am@eabr.orgThe objective of this article is to study integration processes in the electric powersectors of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. Thearticle analyses the power sectors of the EDB member states and, in particular,changes that have occurred in recent years, key trends in the development ofgenerating capacities and power grids, and electricity exports and imports. Inaddition, the article analyses joint interstate initiatives, including the futureestablishment of a common electric power market. Recommendations areprovided on how to deepen integration in the region and foster the creationof the common electric power space, with an emphasis on the EDB’s role inthis process. The article is based on the EDB sector report No.15, IntegrationProcesses in the Electric Power Sectors of the EDB Member States.IntroductionBeing one of the primary industries, the electric power sector plays a vital rolein social and economic development of any country. Therefore, it is identifiedas one of the priority economic sectors of all the EDB member states and of theBank’s investment and lending activities. The sector’s sustainable developmentand robust functioning contribute, to a considerable extent, to the energysecurity of countries and their successful economic development.The power sectors of the EDB member states are fairly well developed withdifferent types of power plants, including thermal power plants (condensation186 EDB Eurasian Integration Yearbook 2012