CAREC Institute Releases Report on Renewable Energy Investment in Central Asia

The CAREC Institute has published a new report, Renewable Energy Investment Ecosystem in Central Asia, offering an in-depth analysis and practical roadmap to accelerate foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region’s renewable energy sectors. The study was supported by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Islamic Centre for the Development of Trade (ICDT), and led by Dr. Asif Razzaq, Senior Research Specialist at the CAREC Institute.

The report introduces a comprehensive FDI-readiness framework built around 15 determinants grouped into three pillars:

• Fundamentals — government commitment, regulatory frameworks, market conditions, and investment promotion;
• Robustness — resource availability, grid infrastructure, market access, investment protection, and financial environment;
• Execution and Operations — workforce quality, public-private partnerships (PPPs), environmental and social factors, technology, and regional cooperation.

This study benchmarks five Central Asian countries across 202 detailed indicators to identify their renewable energy investment potential, highlighting key strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.  Additionally, it proposes an Investment Promotion Program (IPP) to facilitate renewable energy investment.