Fellowship program with renewable energy experts from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan successfully completed
© plainpicture / Ulrich Mertens
The cooperation within the program has provided the researchers valuable opportunities to advance their work on the renewable energies (RE) in Central Asia, with a special focus on distributed renewable energy systems. And beyond this: It created a cornerstone for future collaboration and mutual dialogue between all partners involved. The primary goal of the fellowship program was to develop an Uzbek-Kazakh-German Living Lab research project on the topic of distributed electricity supply. The two scholarship holders worked together with Professor Dr Dierk Bauknecht, David Ritter, and Susanne Krieger from Oeko-Institut Freiburg, with Professor Dr Monika Gonser, Living Lab expert and head of the Intersectoral School of Governance BW (ISoG BW), and Dr Sebastian Schiek, head of the research facilitator SPCE Hub.
Living Lab research at SPCE Hub
The Living lab method is a relatively new research method that is, already recognised by experts in the field. It is used primarily for research on technological and social innovation, including research on energy transition. The mission of the SPCE Hub is to bring together international research institutions and practitioners to test the Living Lab method as a tool for local and international research and learning. The Hub focuses on Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
Ambitious targets for renewable energies in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Energy and electricity supply in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is heavily based on fossil fuels. In Kazakhstan, coal-fired power plants produce around 70 percent of the electricity. Uzbekistan's electricity and energy supply depends primarily on natural gas. However, both countries have set themselves ambitious targets for the expansion of renewable energies. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have plans to increase the share of renewable energy in their electricity production to as much as 40 percent and 15 percent, respectively, by 2030.
Distributed renewable energy systems still play a minor role in the national strategies for energy system transformation. However, both countries are already experimenting with decentralised approaches to renewable electricity supply. Distributed renewable energy systems can make an important contribution to energy security, particularly in rural areas, and can reduce costs and losses in electricity transmission.
Dr Bahtiyor Eshchanov on specific barriers to the transition to renewable energy in Uzbekistan
Green transition is an unpaved and challenging pathway to follow, especially for countries trapped in transition from planned to market economy. However, starting the transition early is better than later. That is why the Government of Uzbekistan’s ambitious target of building 7 000 MW of utility-scale solar-PV and 18 000 MW utility-scale wind projects by 2030 deserves praise and applause. The joint collaborative research team under the leadership of Oeko-Institut is eager to explore more opportunities of such projects in the region.
However, based on my expertise, there are numerous issues for this transition program to be successful. The three most important ones are:
- Need for private investments. Reducing the role of government in green transition and creating liberalized, competitive private sector engagement in renewable energy businesses is a must. State-led energy transition in its current form is more expensive, puts a heavier burden on the peak-load capacity, and increases the external debt of the country.
- New programs and universities needed. One can state that there is no specialist training in the renewable energy sector in Uzbekistan. Currently 2 000 MW utility-scale solar-PV capacity and over 200 MW wind capacity were installed and being operated by international players such as UEA’s Masdar and Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power – with almost no contribution from the Uzbekistan labor market. There are no modern textbooks and none of the over 200 universities in the country are offering programs which develop skills and qualifications required by the renewable energy sector.
- A tailored regulatory framework has to be developed and adopted. Current adolescent regulatory and legal frameworks have created an environment under which the country risks turning into a graveyard of abandoned renewable energy technologies. The lack of standards and regulations has already led to the complete destruction of a 100 MW solar plant and large solar panels due to storms or fire caused by improper installation.
Dr Bahtiyor Eshchanov supports the expansion of the project
Currently, all Central Asian countries are at the similar starting point of renewable energy development. Therefore, piloting a Living Lab project in any of these countries can be expected to yield similar outcomes and findings of such a pilot project could therefore be adapted to the other neighboring countries. From this point of view, the project team can try to reach more potential partners and stakeholders among the Central Asian countries.
Dr Bahtiyor Eshchanov on the potential of Living Labs projects
Living Labs approaches will lead to diversification of the shareholders in distributed renewable energy projects through engaging the homeowners, who will become prosumers, the local governance bodies, financial institutes, power distribution and transmission companies and many other stakeholders by aligning their interests. The transdisciplinary method can also contribute to increasing the awareness of the various stakeholders including the direct and indirect beneficiaries of distributed renewable energy projects. Last but not the least, Living Lab projects may encourage the development of standards and regulations for better construction, operation, and maintenance of the distributed renewable energy technologies.
Dr Abylaikhan Soltanayev on specific barriers to a clean energy transition in Kazakhstan
The clean energy transition presents significant challenges for Kazakhstan, a country where coal remains the primary energy source, contributing over 66 percent of total electricity generation. Despite this dependence, Kazakhstan is making progress towards its renewable energy targets, with renewable energy sources now comprising 5.92 percent of total electricity production. However, this still leaves a substantial gap between current achievements and the nation’s ambitious goals of 15 percent renewable energy by 2030 and 50 percent by 2050. Based on my experience, here are three key challenges that continue to hinder progress:
- Dependence on fossil fuels and infrastructure limitations. Kazakhstan’s energy sector is heavily reliant on coal and thermal power plants, creating structural challenges in scaling up renewables. The national grid, which was primarily designed for centralized fossil fuel-based energy, requires significant modernization to support variable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. This limitation is especially acute in remote areas, which hold considerable potential for renewable installations but lack adequate grid support.
- Need for policy reform and private sector engagement. Although recent growth in wind and solar capacity is encouraging, most renewable energy projects remain large-scale and centralized, with limited involvement of distributed systems like rooftop solar. Current policy frameworks offer minimal incentives for small-scale projects, making private investment crucial to the sector's expansion. Without policy reforms to encourage private investment, particularly in small-scale renewable energy projects, the financial burden on the government will remain high, and the sector risks becoming dependent on foreign developers for large-scale projects. Planned projects with international companies, including Acwa Power, Masdar, and Total Eren, are expected to contribute gigawatt-scale renewable energy installations over the next five years. However, these projects largely lack local engagement, highlighting the need for policy change.
- Local expertise and workforce development. The lack of skilled professionals in Kazakhstan’s clean energy sector is a pressing challenge. Only a few universities, such as Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications (AUES) with its Bachelor’s program in Renewable Energy Technologies, and the Kazakh-German University (DKU) with its Master’s in Strategic Management of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, offer relevant training. The lack of support from the Ministry of Energy for educational initiatives has led to reliance on foreign specialists who often lack regional expertise. As a result, some newly commissioned renewable energy facilities have faced operational issues or permanent damage due to insufficient understanding of local conditions, while other projects remain stalled. Building a skilled domestic workforce through targeted educational programs is critical for sustainable renewable energy development in Kazakhstan.
Dr Abylaikhan Soltanayev on the potential role of Living Labs in Kazakhstan’s energy Transition
Living Labs could play a transformative role by providing collaborative platforms where decentralized energy solutions are tested in real-world settings, engaging local communities, and building public acceptance. These Labs can also help develop new regulatory standards and best practices tailored to Kazakhstan, promoting safe and resilient renewable energy solutions. Additionally, they offer practical training in renewable energy technologies, contributing to local workforce development.
To accelerate the renewable energy transition, Kazakhstan must focus on creating policies that support distributed generation, invest in grid modernization, and foster the development of local expertise through educational initiatives and partnerships. Establishing Living Labs will be instrumental in testing decentralized energy solutions, building regulatory frameworks, and driving public acceptance. This multi-faceted approach will lay a robust foundation for Kazakhstan’s sustainable energy future and help achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets.
Dr Bahtiyor Eshchanov is an energy economist based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with over 15 years of experience in research, teaching, and publishing in the fields of energy economics and renewable energy. He graduated from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and obtained a PhD degree from the Free University of Brussels. Before joining the esteemed New University Uzbekistan, Dr Eshchanov served as a university lecturer and researcher at New Uzbekistan University and the Greater Eurasia Research (GEAR) Center.
Dr Abylaikhan Soltanayev is an engineer and scientist specializing in power engineering with a focus on renewable energies. He is the Head of Educational Programs on Renewable Energy and Hydropower at Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications, and the Scientific Coordinator at the Kazakh-German University. He graduated from City, University of London and has vast experience in teaching, researching, and experimenting with renewable energy technologies. He works closely with projects supported by USAID, the OSCE Secretariat, the German MFA, UNIDO, and others.
The program was financed by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the German Federal Foreign Office.
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