Russian View of Central Asia: Upward Trend Energy Industry

October 4, 2019

Russian View of Central Asia: Upward Trend Energy Industry

The Russian Energy Week 2019 Forum continued with the session titled ‘Central Asia: Key to the Development of International Projects in the Electric Power Industry’.
The discussion was moderated by Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Anatoly Yanovsky.
Minister of Economy and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan Batir Khodjaev, First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan and General Director of Uzatom Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, Chairman of the Management Board of Uzbekistan National Power Networks Dadajon Isakulov, Director of the International Department of Rosseti Andrey Logatkin, Head Central Asia and the Caucasus Asset Management Unit of Inter RAO Dmitry Volkov, Special Envoy of the President of Mongolia on Regional Energy Cooperation Byambasaikhan Bayanjargal, Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Sales Director of Power Machines Alexei Kultyshev, Partner and Head of Power and Utilities at KPMG in Russia and the CIS Vasily Savin, President of Rusatom-International Network Alexander Merten, Vice President of State Development Corporation VEB.RF Aleksey Ternavskiy shared their views on the topic of the panel.
Strengthening of trade and economic relations was highlighted and the interest of Russia in Central Asian countries as the states that ensure stability in the region was emphasised during the session.
The experts pointed out energy as one of the most promising areas of cooperation. The opinion leaders agreed that an obvious upward trend is seen in sectoral cooperation between Russia and Central Asian countries. The energy potential of Central Asian countries is highly promising.
In the meanwhile, there is no unified economic and energy centre in Central Asia, according to Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Anatoly Yanovsky. “External partners have rather geopolitical and social interest in the projects implemented in Central Asia. Russia, in its turn, is concerned about optimal use of Central Asian water energy resources, and Russian companies are actively involved in the sectoral market of this international area,” said the moderator. 
Talking about the energy strategy in Uzbekistan, Batir Khodjaev noted that along with technological and digital progress in the industry, creating jobs for employable population of the country was among its biggest drivers. “Cooperation with Russia and implementation of joint projects will make a solid basis for development of the labour market in Uzbekistan,” said the Minister of the friendly state emphasising the social factor. 
Support of emerging countries in the energy industry by the digital technology locomotives is already seen today. Projects on new digital technology, that is used in the developed countries, are being successfully implemented. Joint construction of power facilities is being done. 



According to Director of the International Department of Rosseti Andrey Logatkin, the state holding is implementing ambitious projects, including digital projects, in Central Asia. 
“In Rosseti, we are interested in implementing our best practices in the industry as part of joint projects with Central Asian Countries – Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan. The world’s largest electric grid company in the world is ready to share its experience in digital transformation, modernisation of facilities, management of power supply activities and in other areas of cooperation,” said Andrey Logatkin.
Confirming the words of the representative of Rosseti, Special Envoy of the President of Mongolia on Regional Energy Cooperation Byambasaikhan Bayanjargal joined the discussion. Thanking the holding for the opportunity of implementing vital projects for the industry on behalf of the Head of State, he reported on the performance of the roadmap on Mongolian energy industry. The document was developed as a result of signing the strategic agreement during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent trip to Mongolia. “Rosseti became a reliable partner in the industry for Mongolia,” emphasised the Mongolian delegate. 
Russia is currently involved in a huge number of megaprojects, on which further improvements in quality of life and the economies of Central Asian countries depend.
         The Russian Energy Week is organized by the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation and the Roscongress Foundation with the support of Moscow Government.

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