Central Asian Universities Joined Global Energy Workshop
Seven universities participated in the 25th Wind & Solar Integration Workshop in Porto to discuss regional energy grids.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Energy
Live Poll
Do you believe international research partnerships are necessary for a successful transition to renewable energy?
Representatives from seven Central Asian universities joined over 400 global experts at the 25th Wind & Solar Integration Workshop held in Porto. The delegation utilized the event to explore collaborative research for integrating renewable energy into regional power systems.
Why it matters
The collaboration addresses critical challenges in power system flexibility as countries in Central Asia look to increase their reliance on wind and solar generation. This partnership aims to bridge the gap between regional energy demands and modern technical infrastructure.
The workshop featured more than 200 technical presentations that utilized dispatch modelling to simulate how power plants meet energy demand. Researchers specifically presented large-scale wind and solar integration models for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The players
Nazarbayev University
This is a research university located in Astana, Kazakhstan, that focuses on international standards of higher education and research.
Satbayev University
Located in Almaty, this institution is one of the oldest technical universities in Kazakhstan specializing in engineering and energy.
EURECA project
This international project is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by GIZ to support academic and research participation.
The details
Supported by the EURECA project, which is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by GIZ, the universities are working to form a dedicated research network. This effort follows a commitment made in April 2025 to strengthen research cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia.
Timeline
The 25th Wind & Solar Integration Workshop took place from 29 September to 2 October 2026.
Leaders agreed to strengthen research cooperation in April 2025.
The Big Picture
The potential research proposals align with the Horizon Europe research funding programme to facilitate international cooperation. This trajectory signifies a shift toward integrating Central Asian technical models into broader European academic and energy research frameworks.
The development of these large-scale integration models could eventually lower energy costs by creating more efficient and flexible power grids in Central Asia. Improved grid stability and renewable adoption may lead to more reliable energy access for local households and businesses.
The takeaway
Collaborative efforts between international universities and the European Union demonstrate a growing focus on cross-border energy solutions. Future progress depends on the successful establishment of a formalized Central Asia-EU research network for renewable energy.
Further reading
For more information on the latest developments in power generation, visit the Energy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brusselstimes.
Live Poll
Do you believe international research partnerships are necessary for a successful transition to renewable energy?
