The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Turkmenistan are discussing the second phase of expanding the national 500-kilovolt power grid and preparing a power grid development master plan. Among potential investment areas, ADB highlights solar and wind energy, battery energy storage, digital infrastructure, and the modernization of gas-fired power plants. This was stated by Nargiza Talipova, Country Director of the ADB Turkmenistan Resident Mission, at the International Conference “Development of the Construction, Industrial, Chemical and Energy Sectors of Turkmenistan” CIET 2026.
ADB has played an important role in modernizing Turkmenistan’s energy sector, financing a large investment project of more than US$ 500 million for the National Power Strengthening. The project supported 1,400 kilometers of transmission lines and 11 substations, strengthening the backbone of the national transmission network, improving reliability and efficiency, and establishing an interconnected national grid through major 500-kilovolt and 200-kilovolt transmission networks.
“Looking ahead, the second phase of transmission and distribution strengthening is among the most immediate opportunities for cooperation, including more reinforcement and expansion of the transmission network to complete the 500-kilovolt offering cooperation,” Talipova stated.
“ADB is currently discussing with the government potential national power grid development master plan to identify and right-size investments, address network bottlenecks, and accommodate evolving generation and demand requirements,” she explained.
The ADB Country Director in Turkmenistan outlined six priority areas for potential future investments by the bank in the country. These include:
Continuation of the transmission and distribution modernization: The modernization of the national grid, improving supply reliability, enabling greater integration of renewable energy, and ensuring that available power can be used domestically, including for the new demand centers such as the solar generation.
Solar energy development: “Solar energy development, this is our next priority, so moving from solar roadmaps and pre-feasibility studies toward investment-ready projects, including opportunities in Arkadag city and larger-scale solar installations,” Talipova stated.
Wind energy development: Building on the wind development roadmap, wind resource assessment, and site identification to prepare technically and commercially viable investments.
Battery energy storage and grid modernization: Introducing storage and modern grid technologies to support renewable integration, strengthen system flexibility, and maintain reliable electricity supply.
Digital infrastructure and new electricity demand: According to Talipova, ADB is looking for opportunities to explore the combined renewable generations and storage with emerging industries, including data centers, which could provide under-demand for the large-scale energy investments.
Conversion of existing open-cycle gas turbines to combined-cycle operations: Improving the generation efficiency, increasing electricity output from the same fuel input, and optimizing the use of Turkmenistan’s gas resources.
“Our next step is to translate these priority areas into the pipeline of the well-prepared investment-ready projects,” emphasized the ADB Country Director.
Critical minerals
ADB has recently established the new Critical minerals-to-manufacturing financing partnership facility, opening up new opportunities for the region and Turkmenistan.
“Recognizing that the greatest economic value lies not in exporting raw materials, but in creating industries, manufacturing products, and developing skills, technology and supply chains around them,” emphasized the head of the ADB Resident Mission in Turkmenistan.
According to ADB, Turkmenistan is very well-positioned to participate in this global transformation, and ADB, as Nargiza Talipova noted, stands ready to help identify opportunities and mobilize the knowledge, partnership, and investment needed to turn those opportunities into the reality. ///nCa, 4 November 2026