USAID, Central Asian Governments Agree on Next Steps to Create Regional Electricity Market
June 22, 2021, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan – Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) hosted a virtual meeting to discuss the status of the Central Asian Regional Electricity Market (CAREM) roadmap and next steps for create an integrated regional market.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Kairat Rakhimov; the Deputy Minister of Energy and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic Taalaibek Ibraev; Tajikistan’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources Jamshed Shoimzoda; Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan Sherzod Khodjhaev; and USAID Regional Mission Director for Central Asia, Christopher Edwards.
In his opening remarks, Christopher Edwards said: “We are all focused on a common goal: to create a regional electricity market that will bring economic benefits to all countries, enhance security of supply and reduce electricity costs. carbon footprint of the region. ”
In October 2020, the Deputy Ministers of Energy of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan formally endorsed the CAREM roadmap and plan of action, a first USAID document intended to guide collective efforts. to create an economically viable and sustainable regional electricity market. . At today’s meeting, USAID briefed deputy ministers on the progress made in implementing the CAREM roadmap and presented a design proposal for the regional market. Participants discussed the expected economic benefits of regional trade and how a regional electricity market can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, USAID and other international donors have considered how they can assist governments in Central Asia to establish and develop regional institutions essential to CAREM and its functioning.
USAID began its assistance to establish a regional electricity market in Central Asia in 2018. A regional energy market will serve as a platform for an expanded electricity market in Central and South Asia. which will deploy the cheapest electricity in support of greater economic and social development. .
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USAID is the world’s leading international development agency and a catalyst for driving development results. To learn more, visit the USAID Central Asia website and Facebook page.
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