New Research Report Reveals Insights on Household Access to Energy in the Fergana Valley

The CAREC Institute has published the research report “Household Access To Energy In The Fergana Valley,” shedding light on energy challenges faced by households in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Commissioned by the CAREC Institute in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank Institute and the Public Opinion Research Institute of Kazakhstan, the report provides a comprehensive analysis of energy access, usage patterns, and readiness to adopt cleaner energy sources.

Conducted in July-August 2023, the survey interviewed 1,522 respondents across the Fergana Valley region, including Jalal-Abad, Osh, and Batken Regions in Kyrgyz Republic, Sughd Province in Tajikistan, and Fergana, Namangan, and Andijan Regions in Uzbekistan. The report delves into seasonal electricity supply issues, heating systems, off-grid heating practices, household cooling, cooking methods, electricity usage, and awareness of environmental impacts.

Key findings from the report highlight the challenges faced by households in accessing reliable and clean energy sources, emphasizing the need for tailored energy policies to address specific demographic needs. The report documents quite a high awareness in the region about the harm fossil fuels can potentially inflict on the environment and family health. The findings underscore however that for translating this awareness into actual plans for changing heating systems and the ways households use energy, reliable electricity supply and technical and financial support for the transition is required.

For more detailed insights and recommendations based on the survey findings, the report breaks down data by demographic indicators such as income, gender, rural-urban divide, and education levels. The report aims to inform policymakers, energy stakeholders, and the public on the pressing energy issues in the Fergana Valley region and advocate for sustainable energy solutions. A main aim of the report was to generate detailed original data on household energy use. They can be shared with interested researchers upon request.