TURKMENISTAN: USTDA FINDS SUPREME COUNCIL ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000921 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN ENERGY FOR EKIMOFF/THOMPSON COMMERCE FOR HUEPER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EIND TRGY TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: USTDA FINDS SUPREME COUNCIL ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTERESTED IN RENEWABLE ENERGY REF: ASHGABAT 915 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: During a July 17 meeting with U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Regional Director for Europe and Eurasia Dan Stein, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology Akjeren Allanurova discussed Turkmenistan's experience and interest in developing its renewable energy industry. Allanurova said that one project was rejected because Turkmenistan thought that it would create too much pollution. Allanurova was interested in exploring cooperation with the United States, recognizing U.S. work in both solar and wind energy and information technology. Although the Ministry of Communication would be the primary organization participating in a technology-oriented study tour, if the Supreme Council is able to participate, some exposure to market-driven research and development might be beneficial during a study tour to Silicon Valley. U.S. excellence in technology is well known, and USTDA and the Department of Energy could capitalize on this by organizing compelling programs and projects that would move the U.S.-Turkmen relationship forward. END SUMMARY. SUPREME COUNCIL: ACTIVE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY ¶3. (SBU) USTDA's Dan Stein and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Director of the Office of Russian and Eurasian Affairs Lana Ekimoff met with Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology Akjeren Allanurova on July 17. Allanurova said that the Supreme Council works actively to develop renewable energy resources such as solar and wind energy. Allanurova said that Turkmenistan's Research Institute for Solar Energy reviewed and was impressed by the U.S. project "Million Solar Roofs" during the Soviet period. She also explained that the first step in a wind-generated energy project for a community of 200 families living on an isolated island in the Caspian Sea was for scientists to develop a map of winds in order to predict project viability. NOT ALL PROPOSALS ARE ACCEPTED ¶4. (SBU) The Supreme Council for Science and Technology is responsible for reviewing all foreign proposals in the area of renewable energy and recommends to the Cabinet of Ministers if a project should be accepted or not. Allanurova said that Turkmenistan received proposals to construct two solar battery plants, but they were too expensive. In addition, the most polluting phase of production would take place in Turkmenistan. She said that the Supreme Council already made progress in the area of transfer of thermal energy and therefore is focusing more on electricity generation. However, Turkmenistan is eager for information that would assist the country in progressing in construction of factories for thermal energy solar batteries. Turkmenistan already uses this technology to heat a livestock complex and power a water treatment plant. NEXT STEPS ¶5. (SBU) Allanurova was interested in Ekimoff's offers to share Department of Energy information on renewable energy and the possibility of a study on earthquake-resistant housing. Stein said that USTDA will work primarily with the Ministry of Communications (reftel) on a study tour/orientation trip, but said that USTDA could probably include the Supreme Council in some way. ASHGABAT 00000921 002 OF 002 ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: Allanurova said that Turkmenistan's ministries set research priorities based on the Cabinet of Minister's economic goals. Some exposure to case studies on market-driven research could be useful during a visit to Silicon Valley. Allanurova acknowledged assistance provided by Cisco Systems in organizing a video conference and setting up a comprehensive electronic network for institutions in secondary education, higher education, and vocational schools. U.S. excellence in these areas is well known, and USTDA and the Department of Energy could capitalize on this by organizing compelling programs and projects that would move the U.S.-Turkmen relationship forward. END COMMENT. CURRAN