OSCE Centre organizes study visit to Spain on energy alternative resources

ASHGABAT, 30 April 2015 – International practices for the use of alternative energy resources were discussed during an OSCE–supported three-day study visit to Spain that concluded in Madrid today.

The visit aimed at familiarizing representatives from the Mary State Energy Institute in Turkmenistan on best practices and large-scale alternative energy projects in another OSCE participating State and facilitate the exchange of expertise in this field.

The Turkmen delegation visited the Technical University of Madrid, Ministry of Commerce and Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technologies (CIEMAT) as well as a solar power plant and wind farm where they discussed the development of a “road map” in solar energy, methods of designing photo-electric high power solar station and research work in this area.

“Promoting the use of alternative energy is essential for achieving sustainable energy security. The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized this study visit as part of its support to the efforts of Turkmenistan to diversify its energy resources and develop renewable energy,” said Radovan Znasik, Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “We strongly believe that the visit will contribute to enhanced professional contacts and scientific networking between the experts of Turkmenistan and their counterparts from other countries”.

During the visit, the Turkmen delegation exchanged views with their Spanish colleagues on training and educating specialists in alternative energy and the possibilities for collaboration in developing renewable energy sources.

The study visit is part of the Centre’s project to establish a Centre of Excellence on Renewable Energy at the Mary State Energy Institute. It follows a seminar on renewable energy held in March 2014 to promote academic exchange and networking.