New Report Reveals Insights on Household Energy Access in the Fergana Valley
A new study titled “Determinants of household energy use in the Fergana Valley” published in the Central Asia Journal of Sustainability and Climate Research, co-authored by Dr. Hans Holzhacker, Chief Economist at the CAREC Institute (CI), and Dr. Botagoz Rakisheva, an expert from the Public Opinion Research Institute (PORI), sheds light on the socio-economic factors influencing household energy choices in the Fergana Valley. The research, based on a comprehensive survey conducted by CI, PORI, and the Asian Development Bank Institute in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, uncovers a significant challenge: despite high awareness of the environmental and health risks associated with fossil fuels, coal remains the dominant energy source in Uzbekistan’s and the Kyrgyz Republic’s part of the Valley, though less so in Tajikistan’s part.
The study reveals that current household expenditures on coal and knowledge of its harmful effects are not sufficient to drive a shift toward cleaner energy alternatives. To catalyze this transition, the authors recommend substantial policy interventions, such as imposing a sales tax on coal or removing existing coal subsidies. However, with households already spending up to one-third of their income on energy, these measures must be carefully balanced with compensatory initiatives to prevent social hardship.
The report highlights the critical need to accelerate electrification efforts, particularly by expanding renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower. To support this transition, the study calls for stronger regional cooperation, enhanced grid connectivity, and increased electricity trade. The authors stress the importance of policies that incentivize clean energy adoption while protecting vulnerable households from potential economic strain.
The full study is available through the Central Asia Journal of Sustainability and Climate Research and can be accessed via DOI: