Academy Of Sciences Of Turkmenistan Solar Energy Institute estimated that 100 kW of solar energy was installed in Turkmenistan in 2018. ⁷

Projects under development show that Turkmenistan will reach a s solar capacity of 107 MW. ⁸

UNDP in 2012 estimated that Turkmenistan has the potential to install 655 GW of solar potential.⁹

Electricity is highly subsidized in Turkmenistan, The Actual cost of electricity is not publicly available.

In Turkmenistan, the electricity mix is almost entirely composed of natural gas, with nearly 100% of the country’s electricity generated from this fossil fuel source. ¹⁰

Turkmenistan’s electricity generation relies almost entirely on natural gas. In 2022, natural gas fueled 99.99% of electricity production (31,627.67 GWh), while hydropower contributed a negligible 0.01% (3.15 GWh), totaling 31,630.82 GWh. This data highlights Turkmenistan’s heavy dependence on fossil fuels for electricity. ¹¹

Technology	Electricity Generation (GWh)	Percentage
Natural gas	31627.665	99.99%
Renewable hydropower	3.154	0.01%
Total	31630.819	100%

 Projected Renewable Energy:  Turkmenistan has the potential to install 655 GW of solar energy, 10 GW of wind energy, and 1.3 GW of small hydropower.¹²

Power cuts are common in Turkmenistan in the summer season. Electricity is available for 20 to 18 hours daily due to power cuts that last 4 to 6 hours daily.¹³

This information is not publicly available.

Installed: Currently no large-scale solar farm is operational in Turkmenistan.

Projected: One solar farm is under construction and Two solar farms are announced to be built in Turkmenistan with combined power of 117 MW. ⁸

Current:

Solar power systems totaling 10 kW were installed in three Ahal region villages (Kelleli, Yel, and Byashkak) under a Turkmenistan-UNDP project, replacing diesel generators.¹⁴

Academy Of Sciences Of Turkmenistan Solar Energy Institute estimated that 100 kW of solar energy was installed in Turkmenistan in 2018. ⁷

Projected: There are no off-grid solar PV installation projects currently in the pipeline as of February 2025.

Current: According to IRENA solar Panel production capacity connected to the grid in Turkmenistan was 0 MW in 2022.¹¹

Projected:  With the completion of two solar farms, the on-grid solar installation will be 117 MW.⁸

• The average monthly salary of a solar energy installer Manager in Turkmenistan is 2150 USD.¹⁵
• The average monthly salary of a photovoltaic installer in Asgabat, Turkmenistan is 935 USD. ¹⁶

The population of Turkmenistan was 7,566,132 as of Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Its population density is 16 people/ km². Its total land area is 469,930 Km².¹⁷

Industrial Electricity Rates:0.010 USD /kWh in 2020. ¹⁸

Water Costs: 0.28 USD /m³ in 2024.¹⁹

Key Components of Administrative Costs

Insurance: Statista estimated that per capita spending on insurance will be 300 USD in the year 2025. ²⁰

¹¹

Total installed electricity generation capacity: 6945 MW in 2023.

Total generation: 31.6TWh.

Per capita generation: 4.64 kWh in 2022. ²¹

Generation mix:  Turkmenistan’s electricity generation capacity is overwhelmingly dominated by natural gas (6943.2 MW, 99.97%), with a negligible contribution from hydropower (2.2 MW, 0.03%) out of a total capacity of 6945.4 MW.

Technology	Capacity (MW)	percentage
Natural gas	6943.2	99.97%
hydropower	2.2	0.03%
Total	6945.4	100%

Leading players: ²²

The Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, established in 2012, oversees the country’s electric power industry through its subordinate entities, including Turkmenenergo State Power Corporation.

Turkmenenergo is a state-owned company that has a dominant position in the country’s power sector, responsible for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.

Transmission & Distribution: Turkmenistan boasts an extensive electrical transmission network that spans over 13,000 kilometers. This network efficiently delivers electricity across the country, utilizing a range of voltages including 35 kV, 110 kV, 220 kV, and 500 kV.¹²

Electricity Export: In 2022, Turkmenistan exported $165M in Electricity to Uzbekistan ($105M) and Kyrgyzstan ($59.5M).²³

Major power plants :

Over 99% of Turkmenistan’s electricity is generated from natural gas.

Thermal Power Plants: ²⁴²⁵²⁶

Turkmenistan features 12 thermal power plants that collectively generate 6511.2 megawatts of electricity (2022).

These plants house 51 turbine units, comprising 39 gas turbines and 12 steam turbines.²¹

Mary Power Plant (Mary TPP) ²⁷

• Location: Near the city of Mary, in southeastern Turkmenistan.
• Capacity: Approximately 1,574 MW (one of the largest in the country).
• Details: The Mary TPP is a key power generation facility, supplying electricity to both domestic and export markets. It has been modernized and expanded in recent years to increase efficiency and output.

Ahal Power Plant ²⁸

• Location: Near Ashgabat, the capital city.
• Capacity: Approximately 402.2 MW.
• Details: This plant supplies electricity to the capital and surrounding regions. It has undergone modernization to improve its efficiency.

Derveze State Power Station

• Year Commissioned: September 12, 2015
• Capacity: Four gas turbine facilities with a total capacity of 504.4 MW.

Ashgabat State Power Station

• Year Commissioned: 2006
• Location: Southern outskirts of Ashgabat
• Capacity: Two gas turbines with a total capacity of 254.2 MW.
• Impact: Increased the reliability of electricity supply in Ashgabat.

Ahal State Power Station

• Year Commissioned: 2010
• Capacity: Two gas turbines with a total capacity of 254.2 MW.
• Fuel Flexibility: Can run on gas or diesel fuel.

Dashoguz State Power Station

• Year Commissioned: 2007
• Capacity: Two gas turbines with a total capacity of 254.2 MW.

Balkanabad Power Station

• Year Commissioned: 2010
• Capacity: Two gas turbines with a total capacity of 254.2 MW.
• Purpose: Ensures reliable electricity supply to rapidly developing oil, gas, and chemical complexes of Balkan province.

Watan Gas Turbine Power Station

• Year Commissioned: July 7, 2017
• Location: Beyik Turkmenbashi district of Lebap province
• Capacity: Two gas turbines with a total capacity of 254 MW.

Turkmenbashi Combined Heat and Power Station

• Year Commissioned: 1963
• Additional Units: In 1984 and 1986, two units with a capacity of 210 MW each were added.
• Unique Feature: Runs on seawater.

Buzmeyin State Power Station

• Year Commissioned: 1957
• Significance: First major power station in Turkmenistan at that time.
• Capacity: Consisted of 7 steam turbine units with a total capacity of 173 MW.
• Current Status: Five of the seven steam units are currently operational.

Lebap State Power Station

• Year Commissioned: May 7, 2014
• Capacity: Three gas turbines with a total capacity of 149.2 MW (each turbine has a capacity of 49.73 MW).

Other Renewable Energy sources

Wind energy:  

Research estimated that Turkmenistan has a potential 10 GW of wind energy.¹²

Hydropower:

Turkmenistan has limited hydroelectric power capacity due to its arid climate and lack of significant rivers. However, there are small hydroelectric facilities, primarily for local use.

Hindukush Hydropower Station ²⁹

• Year Commissioned: 1913
• Location: Bank of the Murghab River
• Capacity: 1.2 MW

Turkmenistan aligns with international certifications to ensure solar panel reliability, particularly for projects involving foreign partners like Masdar (UAE) and Çalik Enerji (Turkey).⁸

Key standards include: ³⁰

• IEC 61215: Mandatory for crystalline silicon panels, this standard tests mechanical load resistance (e.g., wind, snow), thermal cycling (-40°C to +85°C), and UV/humidity resilience.
• IEC 61646: Applies to thin-film solar modules, with additional tests for temperature-induced degradation.
• IEC 61730: Focuses on safety, ensuring no electrical, mechanical, or fire hazards.
• IEC 61701: Tests salt mist corrosion resistance, critical for coastal regions like the Caspian Sea.
• IEC 60068-2-68: Assesses sand abrasion resistance, essential for desert installations in the Karakum Desert.

Turkmenistan is actively developing its solar energy sector, marked by recent initiatives and regulatory frameworks aimed at promoting renewable energy sources.

Tax Benefits for Renewable Energy Investments in Turkmenistan: ³¹

• Tax Exemptions: Corporate income tax exemptions for 5 to 10 years, depending on investment size.
• Import Duty Waivers: No duties on equipment and machinery for renewable energy projects.
• VAT Benefits: Exemptions on goods, services, and materials for facility construction and maintenance.
• Accelerated Depreciation: Faster asset depreciation to reduce taxable income and boost cash flow.
• Green Certificates & Subsidies: Tradable certificates and subsidies for meeting green energy targets.

Local Manufacturing Potential: Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert contains high-silicon sands, positioning the country as a future hub for solar panel production.³²

International Tender for Solar Projects: In March 2023, Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Energy announced an international tender to procure equipment and components for constructing solar power plants in remote areas.³³

Research and Production Center “Renewable Energy Sources”:

Part of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, this center conducts R&D on solar and wind energy. It developed feasibility studies for the 10 MW hybrid plant and created software for designing solar and wind installations. The center also maps solar and wind potential across the country.³⁴

Due to reliance on natural gas for the production of electricity, currently, no large-scale solar farm is operating in Turkmenistan.

Projected Solar Projects:

100 MW Solar Park: ⁸

Masdar, a UAE-based renewable energy company, has signed a joint development agreement with Turkmenenergo, Turkmenistan’s state power utility, to construct the solar plant.

• Location: Akhal region, Turkmenistan.
• Capacity: 100 MW.
• Energy Output: Approximately 160-180 GWh annually(estimated).

10 MW hybrid solar-wind plant: ³⁴

A 10 MW hybrid solar-wind plant (7 MW solar, 3MW wind) with Turkish firm Çalik Enerji, planning to be built on Altyn Asyr Lake.

It is estimated that solar will generate an average of 1.37 GWh of electricity per year, and wind farms will generate 0.835 GWh of electricity per year. This farm is expected to start working in 2025.

Taze Altyn Asyr Solar PV Park ³⁵

• Location: Dasoguz, Turkmenistan
• Capacity: 10 MW
• Current Status: Dormant (not yet active)

Turkmenistan’s solar energy sector is still in its early stages, but there is growing interest from both domestic and international companies.

Taze Energiya:

A private Turkmen enterprise established in 2015, specializing in solar and wind energy. It plans to produce solar glass panels domestically and has secured licenses to install solar panels. The company imports solar technology from China, Turkey, and the Netherlands and collaborates with Victron Energy, which opened a representative office in Turkmenistan. Täze Energiýa is also involved in developing a 10 MW solar power station near Altyn Asyr.

Website: Taze Energiya

Masdar:

UAE-based renewable energy giant partnering with Turkmenenergo to develop a 100 MW solar PV plant, marking its first project in Turkmenistan. The collaboration aligns with Turkmenistan’s goal to diversify its gas-dominated energy mix.

Website: Masdar

Çalik Enerji

A Turkish company contracted to build Turkmenistan’s first hybrid solar-wind plant (10 MW: 7 MW solar, 3 MW wind) near Altyn Asyr Lake. The project, initiated in 2022, aims to power settlements around the lake and integrate renewable energy into the national grid.

Website: https://www.calikenerji.com/