USAID to Supply LiDAR Units to Kyrgyzstan through Power Central Asia initiative

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Power Central Asia initiative, has supplied Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Energy with a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) unit. According to the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, the precise wind data obtained from this advanced technology will be crucial for advancing the nation's renewable energy initiatives and will significantly enhance its appeal to potential investors.

During the handover ceremony, Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibrayev remarked that the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) equipment will not only optimize the utilization of renewable energy sources but also refine financial projections and expedite the implementation of wind farms and wind energy in Kyrgyzstan. To bolster this effort, the USAID Power Central Asia initiative has provided training to local technical personnel on the operation of the wind measurement equipment.

USAID/Kyrgyz Republic Mission Director, Kaya Adams, stated, “The Kyrgyz Republic can ensure that all future wind projects will be both strategically located and implemented with the highest precision for maximum efficiency. This efficiency is crucial for making informed investment decisions that will sustainably shape the country’s energy future”.

The USAID Power Central Asia initiative spans five years and operates as a regional energy program aimed at enhancing the efficiency of Central Asia's energy industries. Its objectives include introducing more competitive methods for generating clean energy, enhancing energy security and resilience through increased regional connectivity, and fostering the expansion of cross-border electricity trade. Since its launch in 2020, Power Central Asia has catalyzed $2.2 billion in investments in clean energy and has facilitated the establishment of 2,241 megawatts of clean energy capacity throughout the region.