Central Asia needs roughly $1.4 trillion in total investment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, according to the authors of the newly released report. For a more immediate roadmap through 2035, the researchers estimate that a balanced modernization of the region’s power grid and generation will require between $151 billion and $179 billion in capital spending.
The report highlights that the total “Investment needed in the region for Net Zero by 2050” stands at “1.4 trillion USD.” For near-term planning, the authors’ recommended strategy “entails CAPEX of approximately 151–179 billion USD, which is 30–45% lower than the ‘green maximalism’ scenario.”
These large sums are necessary because the region’s power plants and transmission lines are aging and cannot keep up with a population that is using more electricity every year. The experts suggest a “middle path” that avoids the extreme costs of an instant green revolution by combining the modernization of existing facilities with a steady rollout of renewable energy. This approach is intended to keep the lights on and prices stable while still significantly reducing the region’s environmental impact.
The report “Power Sector of Central Asia: Modernization and Energy Transition” was published by the Eurasian Development Bank in Almaty in 2026. Authored by a team led by Evgeny Vinokurov, it explores the region’s energy challenges through the lens of the energy trilemma. The study proposes a pragmatic “middle path” to balance energy security, affordability, and sustainability amid a rapidly growing demand and aging infrastructure.
