CAREC Institute Hosts Virtual Dialogue on Advancing Energy Transition in CASA Region

The CAREC Institute, in collaboration with the Greenovation Hub and with support from the World Resources Institute, hosted a virtual CTTN dialogue titled “Demand Analysis for Advancing China-CASA Energy Transition Cooperation through Investment and Finance in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan.” The event convened a diverse array of stakeholders—including financial institutions, industry experts, and civil society representatives—to discuss strategies for accelerating sustainable energy solutions across the region.

Dr. Huang Jingjing, Deputy Director One of the CAREC Institute, opened the dialogue by underscoring the urgent need for international support to help countries like Kazakhstan and Pakistan achieve their climate goals through robust renewable energy investments.

In the first session, distinguished speakers, including experts and business leaders from Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and China, shared valuable insights on renewable energy generation, storage, grid integration, and the development of sustainable value chains. Dr. Hans Holzhacker, Chief Economist of the CAREC Institute, presented findings from a recent study on household energy consumption in the Fergana Valley, highlighting the region’s continued dependence on coal despite the availability of hydropower. He emphasized the environmental and health advantages of accelerating the shift to clean energy and called for increased public awareness and strengthened regional collaboration.

The second session centered on scaling up renewable energy integration through enhanced cooperation between China and the Central Asia and South Asia (CASA) region. Discussions examined the current state of renewable energy infrastructure, technology transfer needs, investment barriers, and innovative financing solutions. Key topics included optimizing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework to support Pakistan’s energy goals, addressing legal and regulatory challenges facing Chinese investors, and assessing the role of multilateral institutions like the Asian Development Bank in mitigating investment risks for renewable projects.

The event concluded with a strong call for enhanced capacity building, underscoring the importance of joint education and training initiatives to foster a resilient energy transition throughout Central and South Asia.