Ashgabat, 10 July 2020: On June 26, 2020, a decree was adopted by the President of Turkmenistan on establishment of an Interdepartmental Working Group to develop the National Strategy of Turkmenistan for the development of renewable energy. The working group was tasked with developing a draft National Strategy of Turkmenistan for the Development of Renewable Energy in collaboration with international organizations.

On July 9, 2020, representatives of the UNDP “Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Awaza” project took an active part in the first session of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Development of the National Strategy of Turkmenistan on the Development of Renewable Energy. UNDP proposed a draft structure for the future National Strategy of Turkmenistan. During the meeting, the UNDP presented information on the implemented work by the project on sustainable cities in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

A statement was also made on activities of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat in providing support for the development of renewable energy, and representative of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) was one of the speakers.

Following the meeting of the working group, appreciation was expressed to UNDP for active cooperation aimed at the development of renewable energy in Turkmenistan and the sustainable development of the electric power industry. The UNDP project on sustainable cities was invited to continue active involvement in development of the National Strategy of Turkmenistan project on the development of renewable energy.

Cooperation between the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan and UNDP on development of the regulatory framework for the development of renewable energy in Turkmenistan, as well as a series of training workshops with participation of leading international and national experts with extensive theoretical and practical experience in the field of sustainable cities, energy-efficient design and green building, as well as the development of renewable energy brings its fruits. UNDP has engaged international consultants with extensive experience in developing strategies and regulatory documents in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

UNDP specialists also organize a teleconference and lead lectures for students of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan on the possibility of operating solar panels in the climatic conditions of Turkmenistan.