Notes / Observatory for the Security of Energy Flows and Materials (French only)

13 October 2025

The Central Asian Energy Transition: A Catalyst for Great Power Competition

The Central Asian Energy Transition: A Catalyst for Great Power Competition

The Central Asian Energy Transition: A Catalyst for Great Power Competition

  • Frédéric Jeannin

    Frédéric Jeannin

    Research Fellow at IRIS, co-Head of the Programme Energy and Raw Materials

  • Sami Ramdani

    Sami Ramdani

    Research Fellow at IRIS, co-Heads of the Programme Energy and Raw Materials

  • Alexandre Roussel

    Alexandre Roussel

    Research Fellow, IRIS

  • In collaboration with Zachary Pennès

    In collaboration with Zachary Pennès

    Research Assistant, Observatory for the Security of Energy Flows and Materials (OSFME), IRIS

  • Cartography by Thomas Cattin

    Cartography by Thomas Cattin

    PhD Candidate in Geopolitics and Cartographer, Cassini

Central Asia, a region which includes Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, faces a complex mix of energy challenges and opportunities. At issue is the combination of a shared Soviet past, authoritarian political regimes, and the uneven distribution of abundant reserves of fossil fuels, water and minerals.

In order to better understand these dynamics, this report by the Observatory of Energy Flows and Materials explores the structure of the energy systems of each of the Central Asian countries since the Soviet era, before analysing their environmental and social consequences.