One of the main differences between the use of green energy, i.e., the use of solar, wind and water energy, and the use of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal and others) as energy is that their use practically does not cause pollution caused by the emission of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Another feature of the use of green energy sources is that they are renewable. The transition to the use of environmentally friendly energy – green energy – is also aimed at preserving the integrity of the ozone layer throughout the world. 

In our independent and permanently neutral country, comprehensive work is being carried out to solve urgent problems of the protection of environment and valuable species of flora and fauna, the rational and efficient use of natural resources and the ensuring of green energy (ecological) conditions for social and economic facilities. In this direction, all efforts are being made at the national and regional levels together with the United Nations Development Program, the Environmental Protection Program, the Global Environment Facility and other authoritative international organizations. The creation of large-scale green economy production facilities in our country is of great importance for the further development of the national economy. In the future, it is planned to carry out relevant work to create production facilities in the country related to green energy. 

Hydrocarbons (gas and oil) are currently widely used as fuel in the world. One of the most important problems is that during the development of gas and gas condensate fields and during the processing of hydrocarbons, extracted from underground in domestic and industrial conditions, methane emissions, that is, their release into the atmosphere unburned, can cause significant damage to the ozone layer throughout the world. This explains the need to switch to green energy. 

For example, methane is added to natural gas to burn hydrogen sulfide. In this case, one of the first decisions is to determine how much methane and hydrogen sulfide are supplied to the place of their combustion. Methane emissions into the atmosphere occur mainly during the drilling of oil and gas wells, during their development and major repairs, during separation of natural gas from condensate (degassing) and during the development of gas and gas condensate fields at late stages, when reservoir conditions are low, and wells are blown with strong gas to remove liquid accumulating at the well bottom. 

The annual growth of energy production from the sun, wind and water, which are sources of green energy, will lead to a decrease in the use of hydrocarbon resources as fuel in the future, and, as a result, their production will decrease. This will largely contribute to the fact that green energy will become a principle of life in the future. 

As part of Turkmenistan’s participation in the Global Methane Pledge and the Roadmap for cooperation between Turkmenistan and foreign countries and international organizations to reduce methane emissions into the atmosphere, the Ashgabat Center of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe also holds training seminars on the topic “Development of a document on monitoring and assessing methane emissions”. 

It should be noted that the priority tasks for solving environmental issues related to green energy include the introduction of renewable energy sources, reduction in the use of plastic materials, the development and protection of forestry, the introduction of environmentally friendly vehicles, an increase in the level of environmental literacy of the population and others. The successful implementation of program work to ensure environmental well-being in Turkmenistan, that is, for the bright future of green energy, evokes in each of us an immense sense of pride and an unwavering desire to make our own contribution to this truly noble cause.

Sapargylych DURDYGYLYJOV,
head at the laboratory, Natural Gas Research Institute, Türkmengaz State Concern