Up to 10 Small Solar Power Plants to Be Built in Remote Settlements of Turkmenistan
Amul Info ·
Turkmenistan plans to build up to 10 small solar power plants with a combined capacity of up to 2 MW in remote communities. The initiative is part of a five-year agreement signed by the Government of Turkmenistan and UNDP. Supported by a Global Environment Facility grant of more than $4.17 million,…
The Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a five-year cooperation agreement on the development of renewable energy sources. Under the project, up to 10 pilot small-scale solar power plants with a total capacity of up to 2 megawatts are planned to be built in remote settlements across the country. This was reported on the official website of the UNDP Office in Turkmenistan.
The agreement was signed on 11 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, on the sidelines of the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The project, entitled “Supporting the Energy Transition in Remote Settlements of Turkmenistan”, has received grant funding of more than US$4.17 million from the Global Environment Facility. It will be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan.
The initiative aims primarily to expand the use of renewable energy sources and provide residents of remote regions with reliable and environmentally friendly electricity. The construction of small solar power plants will demonstrate in practice the potential for using solar energy in remote settlements and lay the groundwork for expanding similar projects in the future.
In addition, the project will include feasibility assessments and the preparation of relevant technical documentation to identify opportunities for installing solar energy systems in a further 120 remote settlements. This work will help gather the necessary information to attract additional investment and expand the programme in the future.
According to Narine Saakyan, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan, expanding access to reliable and environmentally friendly energy sources is essential for improving living standards, strengthening the resilience of local communities and ensuring the country’s sustainable development.
She emphasised that the project brings together improvements to public policy, the strengthening of national capacity and practical investment in solar energy. Particular attention will also be given to ensuring that all local residents, including women and vulnerable population groups, can benefit from the advantages of new energy solutions.
Alongside the construction of solar power plants, the project also envisages improving the legal and institutional framework for renewable energy, training specialists and developing national professional skills.
The project is aligned with the objectives of the National Strategy for the Development of Renewable Energy Sources through 2030 and the National Climate Change Strategy. Its implementation will contribute to fulfilling Turkmenistan’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.