Central Asia may face wider electricity deficit as demand grows 27% by 2030

Arman Akhunbayev, head of the Industry Analysis Center at the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), said electricity demand in Central Asia will rise by 27% by 2030. According to him, energy consumption is growing due to industrial development, the construction of new enterprises, the expansion of cities and the digitalisation of the economy.

Akhunbayev said: «By 2030, demand for electricity in the region will grow by 27%, that is, by more than a quarter. To ensure the energy deficit does not become an obstacle to the economy, it is necessary to prepare capacity and networks now for new plants and growing cities.»

The EDB warns that simply building new power plants is not enough. Modernisation of electricity grids, development of energy storage systems and creation of reserve capacity are also required. The intensive development of renewable energy sources adds further strain on energy systems. Central Asian countries plan to commission solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of more than 35 gigawatts by 2035. Experts stress that without grid modernisation and coordinated operation of energy systems, rising demand will inevitably increase the risk of a deficit.