CAREC Institute Releases Report on Renewable Energy Cooperation in South and Central Asia

The CAREC Institute has released a new research report titled “Geoeconomics of Renewable Energy Development in South and Central Asia Using Public–Private Partnerships: Scope for Interregional Energy Cooperation” under its 2025 CAREC Think Tank Network (CTTN) Grant Research Program.

Authored by Dr. Dharish David, this report examines renewable energy development and interregional cooperation in South and Central Asia, with a focus on public-private partnerships (PPPs). It analyzes regional PPP investments in energy, aiming to identify successful cooperation models and financing frameworks. It assesses the potential for renewable energy cooperation between South Asia, which has a rapidly growing energy demand, and Central Asia, which has abundant renewable resources.

Key findings of the report include a marked shift in investment trends from coal to renewable energy, effective blended finance mechanisms that have driven down renewable energy tariffs, and emerging cross-border energy initiatives that support regional market integration. The study also points out persistent governance gaps that hinder optimal resource allocation despite the two regions’ economic complementarity.

The report provides a detailed analysis of regional PPP investments and offers policy insights to promote regulatory harmonization, improved risk-sharing mechanisms, and institutional innovations, which are essential to unlocking clean energy investment opportunities and enhancing regional energy security.