Central Asian countries’ electric power sectors were initially designed during the Soviet Union to operate within a unified Central Asian Power System (CAPS). After gaining independence Central Asian governments started pursuing independent energy policies, which strained the coordinated operation of the system. Turkmenistan left the CAPS in 2003. Withdrawal of Uzbekistan, a key country that pulled regional power sectors together, in 2009 resulted in complete breakdown of the system. Within largely isolated national power sectors, authorities have been prioritizing the introduction of new power generation capacities and the establishment of a countrywide electric power transmission lines.