The potential of geothermal energy in Central Asia is becoming increasingly evident, offering a promising solution to the region's energy and environmental challenges. Hela Cheikhrouhou, Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, recently underscored this potential during her official visit to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan.
Central Asia, like many regions around the world, is grappling with the urgent need to address the climate crisis. While technology advancements such as artificial intelligence and electric vehicles are crucial, sometimes the solution lies right beneath our feet. Geothermal energy, if harnessed effectively and at scale, can provide stable heating in winter, cooling in summer, clean power year-round, and significant job creation opportunities.
The need for such solutions is particularly pressing in countries like the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, which rank among the top-20 most air-polluted countries globally. Heavy reliance on coal exacerbates air pollution and respiratory diseases in the region. To address this, countries have often turned to importing gas from neighboring nations, but this reliance on external energy sources poses risks to energy security.
Despite misconceptions about its affordability, geothermal heating and cooling solutions offer long-term benefits for citizens. In the United States, for example, it is estimated that about 28 mn households could be connected to geothermal district heating systems by 2050, resulting in potential savings of at least $300 bn over the same period.
Moreover, geothermal energy presents numerous advantages beyond its cost-effectiveness. It can serve as a hedge against commodity price volatility, stabilize energy costs, and provide a stable source of heating and cooling, unlike other intermittent renewable energy sources.
One of the most significant benefits of geothermal energy is its potential to spur local economic development and job creation. For every megawatt installed, an estimated 34 jobs are created, far surpassing the job creation rates of wind and solar energy projects.
Central Asia's subsoil is rich in geothermal potential, with countries like Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan well-positioned to leverage this resource. Recognizing the importance of geothermal solutions, IFC is committed to supporting its growth in the region through technological exploration, financing options, and regulatory frameworks.
By working closely with state and local authorities, as well as the private sector, IFC aims to facilitate the implementation of shallow geothermal projects in Central Asia.
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