Project Update
Building skills for a greener and more efficient energy future: OSCE delivers energy efficiency training for mountain communities and women-led businesses in Kyrgyzstan
- Issued on:
- Issued by:
- Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek
- Fields of work:
- Economic activities, Environmental activities, Gender in economic and environmental activities
The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities together, with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, organized a training on renewable energy and energy efficiency at the Batken Energy Service Centre, Kyrgyzstan, on 19 November.
The training gathered 30 local entrepreneurs, including women-led businesses and women community representatives, to strengthen their practical knowledge on energy-efficient technologies and the use of renewable energy solutions in daily life and local infrastructure. This OSCE/OCEEA-led initiative responded to requests from beneficiary communities seeking more reliable energy access. Previous scoping missions revealed that communities in mountainous areas, and their businesses, frequently experience recurrent power outages, affecting livelihoods and overall community well-being. Enhancing energy efficiency and exploring alternative, clean energy solutions can provide critical and lasting support.
Participants received an introduction to key concepts of energy consumption, types of energy resources and the relevance of energy efficiency for household and community resilience. Sessions also focused on thermal energy and heat losses in buildings, efficient ventilation and air-conditioning systems, boilers, heat pumps, lighting, and other technological equipment commonly used in the region. In the second part of the day, participants engaged in hands-on modules on renewable energy, including solar water and air heating, solar dryers, photovoltaic systems and other practical solar applications, as well as introductory discussions on wind, biogas, hydro and geothermal energy solutions. Throughout the training, participants also exchanged plans regarding potential installation of energy-efficient equipment in their offices and homes.
By building local technical capacity and raising awareness of practical, affordable and sustainable energy solutions, the OSCE contributed to increasing the resilience and economic empowerment of communities in remote and energy vulnerable areas of Kyrgyzstan. The training in Batken forms part of a series of activities implemented across Central Asia to promote sustainable energy practices, reduce energy poverty and support community resilience in the energy transition, including through women’s empowerment The activity was organised within the framework of the OSCE project on Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Energy Sector, financed by Canada, Germany, Italy , Norway, and the United Kingdom.