President Serdar Berdimuhamedov made a working trip to the Balkan velayat, where he took part in the festive opening and ground-breaking ceremonies of energy and social facilities.
These events marked a new important step to implement the large-scale programmes aimed at boosting sustainable economic growth and diversification, enhancing the export potential of the country and stepping up industrialisation and dynamic development of rural areas. In this context, the key guidelines are the introduction of advanced technologies and innovations into practice and the facilitation of the progressive comprehensive development of the Motherland.
At the same time, special importance is attached to the formation of a modern engineering and technical infrastructure that meets international standards, an integral part of which is the energy supply system. Turkmenistan is taking targeted steps to radically modernise and strengthen the material and technical base of the energy sector, including the electric power industry, and to train highly qualified specialists for the industry. This makes it possible not only to fully meet our country’s needs in electricity for the long term, but also to expand the geography of its supplies abroad. In this regard, it should be noted that Turkmenistan has the richest reserves of energy resources, and electricity production is considered one of the most profitable industries in the world.
The comprehensive reforms, initiated by the Hero-Arkadag and now successfully implemented under the leadership of Arkadagly Hero Serdar, are aimed at improving the level and quality of life of the people, which is a state policy priority of Turkmenistan.
In the morning, the President arrived at the venue for the ground-breaking ceremony of a new energy facility – a 1,574 MW combined cycle power plant in Turkmenbashi etrap.
As it is known, the President of Turkmenistan issued the Resolution at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on October 28 authorising Çalik Enerji Sanayi we Ticaret A.Ş. to implement this project.
Those present greeted President Serdar Berdimuhamedov with great enthusiasm.
The cultural workers and artists performed inspiringly music and dances, which added bright colours to the festive atmosphere reigning at the venue.
Addressing the audience, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said the foundation of the new power plant and social infrastructure facilities in the Guvlymayak village in Turkmenbashi etrap, Balkan velayat, was being laid on that day. A Mary-Ahal high-voltage overhead power line and two gas turbine units at the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries would be put into operation on that day.
The President noted the power industry was one of the main segments of the national economy. Programme measures, substantial investments, ambitious projects, technology modernisation and a steady growth in power generation are to boost the development of this sector. This, in turn, ensures reliable and stable power supply to consumers.
Today, the country has 12 power plants with a total capacity of 7,000 MW. During the years of independence, namely, in the period 2013–2021, eight of them were launched. In addition, thousands of kilometres of overhead power lines of various voltage and reconstructed and new distribution systems were put into operation. All this indicates significant progress in this area.
Independent Turkmenistan was known as a powerful state that built, created and successfully implemented large-scale projects, which, along with completed facilities and facilities under construction, were aimed at enhancing the economic strength and ensuring a prosperous and happy life for its citizens, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued.
At the same time, priority attention is paid to compliance with environmental requirements and the introduction of advanced technologies. Large industrial projects, carried out in the country, are positively assessed by leading international organisations for their high quality and compliance with environmental standards.
The modern combined cycle power plant, the foundation of which was laying that day, would have four gas and two steam turbines, the President of Turkmenistan said. Their total capacity will be 1,574 MW. More than 150 qualified specialists will work at the plant, for whom the most favourable conditions for work and recreation have been created.
This facility will become the second biggest power plant in the country, which will ensure reliable and stable power supply to consumers in one of the dynamically industrialising regions – Balkan velayat. The excess electricity generated by the plant can be supplied into the power grid and exported to neighbouring countries. The implementation of such large-scale projects in the regions of Turkmenistan testified to the priority of the development of the power industry and the impressive economic potential of the sovereign Motherland, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised.
The President said the foundations of several social facilities in the Guvlymayak village, which would serve to improve the living conditions of specialists working at the enterprises of the Türkmenhimiýa State Concern in the region, was being laid on that day.
Modern comfortable 4-storey houses for 472 citizens, a secondary school for 320 children, a kindergarten for 120 children and a shopping and entertainment centre will be built there soon. All this is another vivid illustration of the unceasing concern of the state for the people.
In this regard, the President of Turkmenistan expressed belief that Turkmen builders and foreign partners, taking an active part in the implementation of the above-mentioned projects, would fulfil the designated tasks.
In this context, the President noted our country was working to transform the existing energy system into a closed cycle, that is, into a ring power grid. The first step of project implementation is the Ahal–Balkan high-voltage overhead power line, launched in 2021. And that day we witnessed the successful implementation of the next step towards creating the power grid – the launch of the Mary–Ahal high-voltage overhead power line, which is a result of the tireless and dedicated efforts of Turkmen energy builders.
The construction of the Balkan–Dashoguz high-voltage overhead power line is to be completed in 2024. The launch of the Balkan–Dashoguz and Mary–Ahal power lines will allow building a ring power grid, improving the quality of energy supply to domestic consumers and creating ample opportunities to export electricity from different regions of the Motherland. The implementation of these projects is a significant milestone in the history of Turkmenistan’s energy sector, since the reforms implemented during the years of independence have enabled Turkmenistan to build a modern full-cycle electrical power infrastructure.
Taking this opportunity, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov thanked Turkmen energy builders and foreign partners for their contribution to the successful implementation of the project, noting that on that day two modern 70 MW gas turbine units would be launched at the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries, which would ensure its reliable energy supply.
Congratulating the participants on the ground-breaking ceremony of a combined cycle power plant in Turkmenbashi etrap and a complex of social facilities in the village of Guvlymayak, as well as on the launch of the Mary–Ahal high-voltage overhead power line and two gas turbine units at the TCOR, the President wished everyone good health, family wellbeing and every success in their work.
“May these facilities serve the people for many years in the period of the Revival of the New Era of the Powerful State,” the President of Turkmenistan concluded.
In his speech, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Çalik Holding A.Ş. Group of Companies Ahmet Çalik stressed Turkish partners were proud of the participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the ground-breaking and opening ceremonies of important energy facilities in the Balkan velayat and cordially congratulated the President on those significant events.
He noted the constructive state policy initiated by the Hero-Arkadag was being consistently implemented under the leadership of Arkadagly Hero Serdar. As a result, a sustainable growth rate is achieved in all the sectors of the national economy, including the energy sector that has made significant progress.
The top manager of the Turkish holding emphasised Turkmenistan had an enormous energy potential, which enabled it to meet the domestic demand and to export electricity. In this context, the vivid examples are the ground-breaking ceremony of the power plant, the opening ceremony of the Mary–Ahal power line and two gas turbine units at the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries.
The Turkmen state represented a model of a peaceful and prosperous state that acted as a guarantor of stable economic growth and wellbeing of the people, Ahmet Chalik said.
The businessman emphasised that Çalik Holding had been working in Turkmenistan for many years and was proud of making a significant contribution to its dynamic development and having an opportunity to take an active part in implementing of large-scale joint projects, expressing his best wishes to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Turkmen people.
Then the Mary and Ahal velayats joined in the ceremony via the digital system. The opening ceremony of the Mary–Ahal high-voltage overhead power line, built within the framework of the large-scale project aimed at creating a ring power grid in the country, took place there.
Speaking at the ceremony, the specialists from the Mary and Ahal hydropower plants expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the industry workers to the President of Turkmenistan for his unceasing concern for the development of the power industry and the creation of conditions conducive to their fruitful work. It was noted that in the period of the Revival of the New Era of the Powerful State, the role of youth in the implementation of large-scale socioeconomic development programmes launched in the country was growing. In an effort to make a worthy contribution to the progressive development of the Motherland, young citizens of Turkmenistan are taking an active part in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects.
Emphasising that the event, taking place in the year with the theme “Happy Youth with Arkadag Serdar,” would be inscribed in golden letters in the history of the industry, the speakers asked the President to give his blessing to connect the Mary–Ahal power line to the power network of Turkmenistan.
To the applause of the participants of the festive event, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov gave his blessing for the launch of the new high-voltage overhead power line and its connection to the ring power grid.
By pressing the remote control button, the specialists from the Mary and Ahal power plants put the new power line into operation.
A film about the technological process at the Mary–Ahal power line was demonstrated during the ceremony. The film provides a clear idea of the technical characteristics of the new power line, for the construction of which high-quality materials and equipment from the world’s biggest companies were used.
Through a digital system, the Mary–Ahal power transmission line is connected to the Central Dispatch Office of the industry, which ensures proper control.
In general, the creation of a single energy ring in Turkmenistan makes it possible for mutual redundancy between the energy systems of the velayats and Ashgabat. This will strengthen and increase the reliability of the domestic energy network, will allow systematically increasing its capacity reserves, and, if necessary, redistributing electricity in the right direction. By ensuring uninterrupted energy supply to the regions and the capital, the implementation of this project will also help increase the export of electricity to other countries.
Best wishes and warm gratitude to Arkadagly Hero Serdar and the Hero-Arkadag were expressed for their assistance in developing the power industry and their support for implementing this project meeting the goals of the wellbeing of the Motherland and the people and being of international significance.
The Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries, where two new gas turbine units (GTU) were ready for operation, was the next to join in the ceremony via the digital system.
Addressing President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, a specialist from the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries emphasised that under the leadership of the President Turkmenistan, the oil and gas industry was developing dynamically, its infrastructure was being modernised, and new projects were being implemented that contributed to the industrialisation of the Motherland and enhanced its economic strength.
As it was noted, in September 2020, at the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries, with the participation of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the construction of two new gas turbine power units and the reconstruction of the existing power plant had been launched. This work was carried out by the Turkish company Çalik Enerji. The generators and turbines installed there were manufactured by the world famous company General Electric (USA).
Expressing profound gratitude on behalf of Turkmen oil and gas workers to Arkadagly Hero Serdar and the Hero-Arkadag for their unceasing concern for the development of the industry and oil and gas workers, the specialist asked the President to bless the commissioning of the new gas turbine units.
To the applause of the participants, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov gave his blessing for the launch of two gas turbine units.
By pressing a button, the specialist put the new gas turbine units into operation.
A film about the technological process at the new gas turbine units with the total design capacity of 70 MW was demonstrated. Along with fully meeting the electricity demand of the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries, they create an opportunity to supply an electricity surplus to the country’s power grid.
A ceremony of presenting international certificates to the project for the construction of new gas turbines and reconstruction of a power plant at the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries took place.
The first floor was given to the Adviser at Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology (Germany), Professor, Dr Harald Apel, who expressed profound gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for the invitation to take part in the opening ceremony of the new power facilities that met international standards and presented the Certificate of Quality of Fraunhofer Institute to the energy project implemented at the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries.
The next to speak was a professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen and Advisor at the Federal Chamber of German Architects Bernd Reinhold Rosin. The guest expressed gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for the opportunity to take part in the festive event and presented the Certificate of the Chamber for the best engineering project.
Then the floor was given to the Senior Advisor for Renewable Energy Sources and Sustainable Energy Projects at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Germany) Yuri Shikov. Expressing sincere gratitude to the President for the invitation to the ceremony, the guest presented a Certificate of the University for an eco-friendly and sustainable project.
The celebrations continued in the Guvlymayak village in Turkmenbashi etrap, where the ground-breaking ceremony of a large residential estate with social facilities for employees of the enterprises of the Türkmenhimiýa State Concern took place.
The strategy of the development of the chemical industry of Turkmenistan is aimed at maximising the use of local resources, expanding the export potential of the industry and the sustainable development of the agroindustrial complex. Particular attention is paid to increasing the production of mineral fertilisers, which is due to the presence of a rich raw material base and to raising the efficiency of agricultural production.
Turkmenistan has the capabilities to produce various types of these products in volumes that fully satisfy the country’s internal needs and allow a significant increase in the export of “fertility vitamins.” Taking into account the rich potential of the Balkan velayat, great prospects are opening up for the development of the chemical industry and the comprehensive development of the production of new types of import-substituting chemical products.
The dynamics of the transformation processes, taking place in the western region of the country, is also reflected in the scale of the ongoing construction. At the same time, an important direction is the construction of social facilities, including comfortable housing, thereby increasing the level and quality of life of people.
On August 31 this year, the President of Turkmenistan issued the Resolution on the construction of the Kiyanly residential estate, consisting of 4-storey houses designed for 472 families, a school for 320 children, a kindergarten for 120 children and a shopping and entertainment centre in the Guvlymayak village in Turkmenbashi etrap, Balkan velayat.
In accordance with the document, the private construction company Dürli-Ýaz was to design and build these facilities, improve adjacent territories and install engineering and technical networks.
When developing such projects, not only the location of residential complexes is taken into account, but also environmental, social and leisure aspects, including landscaping and the arrangement of children’s and sports grounds. Spacious flats that fully meet the requirements of comfortable living have become the norm.
Following the good tradition, the Head of Turkmenistan takes part in the opening ceremonies of residential estates, sharing the joy of new residents, and the ground-breaking ceremonies of new buildings, personally acquainting himself with construction projects.
This was illustrated by the participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the ground-breaking ceremony of a residential estate in the Guvlymayak village via the digital system. This vividly testifies that the concern for the wellbeing of the people is a state policy priority of Turkmenistan.
Speaking at the ceremony, an honorary elder from the Balkan velayat noted the construction work on the residential estate that had started on that day was another evidence of the success of ongoing large-scale transformations in the country, aimed at boosting the social and economic development of rural areas and improving the standard of living of the people. This is a result of the continuation of the noble endeavours, initiated by the Hero-Arkadag, by Arkadagly Hero Serdar.
As it was emphasised, the society-centred policy pursued by the President, the fundamental principle of which is “The state is for the people!” was vividly embodied in the new look of urban and rural areas.
On behalf of those present, heartfelt gratitude was expressed to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his efforts to strengthen the economic potential of Turkmenistan and to ensure a happy life for the people and wished him good health for many years to come and new outstanding achievements in all spheres for the benefit of the Motherland.
At the request of the honorary elder, the President of Turkmenistan gave his blessing to the start of construction work on the residential estate.
After the completion of the ground-breaking ceremony of social facilities in the Guvlymayak village, the festive events continued at the construction site of another future facility – a 1,574 MW combined power plant. At the new power plant, four “blue fuel” turbines and two steam turbines, produced by one of the world’s biggest companies, General Electric (USA), will be installed.
A combined steam-gas cycle is a new type of electricity production, characterised by an increased efficiency factor. Its essence lies in the generation of additional electricity due to the ingress of fuel combustion products generated at high temperatures into steam turbines from gas turbines.
The introduction of this modern technology is important from the point of view of the development of waste-free production in the country, and, in addition, allows saving natural gas consumed to generate electricity. All production processes at the power plant will be digitised, automated and subject to centralised control, which will ensure their high efficiency.
Along with a reliable power supply to the western region, the implementation of this project will enhance energy security of the Motherland, will increase electricity supplies to neighbouring countries and will open new export routes.
Turkmenistan that implements large-scale energy projects of regional and international significance demonstrates a responsible and science-based approach to environmental issues and environment protection. In this aspect, the key tasks include the use of innovative eco-friendly and resource-saving technologies and effective equipment that meets modern requirements.
The implementation of such important innovative projects is the focus of attention of Arkadagly Hero Serdar and the Hero-Arkadag, whose large-scale activities are aimed at the prosperity of the beloved Motherland and the happy present and bright future of the people.
The President put his signature under a memorial message, which was placed in a special capsule in commemoration of the significant event.
Then the floor was given to the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Annamammedov. He expressed sincere gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for participating in the festive events and addressed the President with a request to establish the Day of Workers of Turkmenistan’s Construction Industry on November 3.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov supported this proposal and congratulated workers of the construction industry on the holiday.
The President visited the construction site of the new energy facility. Following the tradition, which embodies the continuity of generations and the age-old customs of our people of blessing good deeds and undertakings, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov threw a capsule with a message into the foundation of the new building and, together with the honorary elders, he laid the first shovels of concrete mixture into the foundation of the future power plant, launching the construction work.
Upon the completion of the festive events, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov warmly said goodbye to their participants and left the venue.