EURASIAN COOPERATION IN THE ENERGY SECTOR: NEW APPROACHES AND OPPORTUNITIES

This study explores energy cooperation prospects among Central Asian countries amid regional economic growth, with GDP increasing by 7.5-fold from 2000 to 2021. It forecasts energy consumption growth to 290 million tons of oil equivalent by 2030, requiring investments of 136-339 billion USD. This study considered Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan's hydropower, Turkmenistan's gas reserves, and Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan's uranium deposits. It proposes forming a regional energy alliance with Russia, including modernizing the unified power system, developing gas transportation infrastructure, and building new generating facilities. The potential of nuclear power plants and renewable energy facilities is supported to ensure sustainable energy sector development and regional environmental security.