Born and raised in the vibrant city of Dushanbe, Mansur Kudusov, a dynamic engineer from Tajikistan, was honored as the Young Energy Professional of the Year 2023 by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), which is a U.S.-based non-profit with an international reach. The association works with industry professionals in 105 countries, such as Mansur, to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gasses.
Mansur, as a member of the Association of Renewable Energy of Tajikistan, has been a key part of the advancement of the renewable energy sector within his homeland. Graduating with distinction from the Tajik Technical University with a specialization in civil engineering, Mansur embarked on his journey in renewable energy in 2013. He currently serves as the Deputy Director at open joint-stock company ‘Sistemavtomatika’ in Tajikistan, while also holding the esteemed position of Vice President at the Association of Renewable Energy of Tajikistan.
Mansur’s journey in this field began when he enrolled at the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan. There, he opted to study renewable energy, becoming a pivotal member of a group of ambitious young specialists unified by the shared aspiration of fostering alternative energy sources in Tajikistan. Umarkhon Madvaliev, the team’s leader at that time and a corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, served as a mentor to Mansur.
According to Umarkhon, a pivotal moment in his renewable energy career was his inaugural journey to America through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SABIT program. This program, facilitating educational opportunities for participants to explore various sectors in the United States, set the stage for his close collaboration with American projects, including those spearheaded by USAID. “Projects like USAID Power Central Asia provide young professionals with an opportunity to glean insights and knowledge from the preeminent American experts in the field of renewable energy,” emphasizes Umarkhon. The Tajikistan association has benefitted from its collaboration with USAID under the Power Central Asia Activity in 2022 and 2023, with capacity building while it has researched renewable energy zones for Tajikistan.
The Tajikistan Association was also certified through professional training with the Association of Energy Engineers. In 2017, Mansur’s team underwent comprehensive training from the Association, culminating in their certification as specialists in energy management. Two years later, Mansur, along with a colleague, undertook specialized training in energy auditing in India, an endeavor that solidified their expertise. Subsequently, the Association of Energy Engineers established a Tajikistan branch dedicated to training the emerging generation of renewable energy professionals, with Mansur and the team actively mentoring these budding specialists.
“Our team completed the entire training course for students, and by the time of the exam, an expert from the USA had arrived. Seventeen out of thirty individuals passed the exam, exceeding 50 percent, which is a remarkably high success rate. All of this contributes to the development of talent in the renewable energy sector in Tajikistan,” says Mansur.
“At present, our team, whose members work in OJSC ‘Sistemavtomatika’ and the NGO ‘Association of Renewable Energy of Tajikistan’’ has successfully executed the majority of Renewable Energy System installation projects in Tajikistan, making a significant impact in this sector,” emphasized Umarkhon.
Why has the RE Zones project been key for Tajikistan? The existing hydroelectric stations in the country can no longer adequately meet the nation’s growing demand for electricity. Tajikistan, with its geographical division into north and south by mountains, houses major hydroelectric power stations in the southern region. In the north, only one hydroelectric power station boasting a capacity of 250 megawatts exists, while the electricity demand there reaches 900 megawatts.
To address these deficiencies, USAID initiated the RE Zones in Tajikistan project. This groundbreaking initiative involves the installation of solar and wind systems to generate electricity, with a primary focus on the northern regions of Tajikistan. The research for this transformative project was conducted by the association in Tajikistan, contributing to the realization of energy independence for the Republic of Tajikistan, as outlined in the National Development Strategy until 2030.
To select the RE zones in Tajikistan, the team meticulously developed a methodology encompassing two types of criteria for zone selection. Ranking criteria, providing a numerical assessment of zones, included considerations such as density of solar and wind resources, line losses, and distance to the nearest logistical node. Additional criteria were designed to eliminate zones from consideration based on factors like environmentally sensitive areas, agricultural and built-up zones, as well as altitude and slope.
“Identifying zones that meet such stringent criteria poses a formidable challenge, given that flat terrain constitutes a mere 7 percent of Tajikistan’s territory, with the remaining 93 percent dominated by mountains. Even within this 7 percent, it is imperative to pinpoint areas unsuitable for agriculture — a fundamental criterion in the selection of locations,” explains Mansur.
In the initial phase, 22 RE zones were earmarked, boasting a total resource potential of 10,000 megawatts. Additionally, five potential zones for wind power stations were identified, with an estimated resource and potential of approximately 3,000 megawatts. To put this in perspective, the entire energy system of Tajikistan today stands at 5,000 megawatts.
The Power Central Asia Activity presented the selected zones to the Ministry of Energy of Tajikistan. Currently, a thorough evaluation of these locations is underway, complemented by ongoing negotiations with potential investors.
As Umarkhon explains, “We conducted exhaustive work aimed at accurately determining and assessing the risks and costs associated with electricity generated through solar energy. In the realm of wind energy, we identified potential zones — corridors where wind speed would be most effective.”
And the work continues.
Recently, the Power Central Asia Activity delivered a cutting-edge Light Detection and Ranging unit, or LiDAR, to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. USAID experts trained the association members on how to use the technology. This advanced technology, officially handed over to the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, will be used to enhance Tajikistan’s energy sector in planning for renewable energy projects. The precise data generated will be used to attract international investors and foster the development of more wind energy projects with lower tariffs.
“Contemplating the installation of LIDARs for year-round measurements is also on our radar. These crucial data sets will serve as a compelling proposition for investors and pave the way for the successful implementation of renewable energy projects,” affirms Umarkhon.
Source: USAID Central Asia