December 13, 2022, Astana hosted a press conference with representatives of the Ministry of Energy, the Qazaq Green RES Association, Financial Settlement of Renewable Energy LLP, domestic and foreign investors.

Abai Kulanbay, Director of the Renewable Energy Development Department of the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, Johannes D. Rey, Director of the Representative office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Kazakhstan, Gulzhan Nalibayeva, General Director of Financial Settlement of Renewable Energy LLP, Nurlan Kapenov, Chairman of Qazaq Green RES Association Board of Directorsand AinurSospanova, Chairperson of Qazaq Green RES Association Board.

Kazakhstan has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, hence, decarbonisation, development of a sustainable economy, and green energy became a leitmotif of the country's leadership speeches.

In addition, Kazakhstan should address such issues as obsolescence and low modernisation rates, which have led to the current energy crisis.

"The winter starts with power shortages in the country. This power shortage situation has been observed every month since May 2022, and in 2021, there were shortages in November, August, July, and June. The minister attributed the shortages to the increasing frequency of emergency equipment failures of domestic power-generating facilities, which are becoming obsolete," Nurlan Kapenov said.

Compared to the same period last year, the number of emergency shutdowns has increased by 22% and their duration by 16%. The depreciation of generating capacity currently is about 60%.

This energy crisis, according to experts, requires systematic and effective measures in the country.

According to Qazaq Green Chairman, thanks to joint work with government agencies and the business community, the Association manages to solve the most pressing issues for Kazakhstan's renewable energy sector. For example, one of the current problems of the renewable energy sector is the high volatility of the national currency, which negatively affects the financial condition of existing and new renewable energy projects.

"Since the beginning of 2022, Qazaq Green, together with the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan and the RES business community, has worked hard to improve the investment climate in the sector. For example, we have introduced tariff indexation for the period of RES facility construction and significantly improved the existing tariff indexation mechanism which previously did not cover the currency risks of investors. We are confident that the new indexation approaches will contribute to the successful implementation of RES projects in ourcountry," he said.

Abai Kulanbay, Director of the Renewable Energy Development Department of the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, confirmed that two indexation measures have been adopted. Investors who win from this year onwards will receive a one-off indexation for the duration of construction. The formula for indexation of tariff for electricity generated by RES facilities has also been revised.

"The tariff will subsequently be indexed for all participants, taking into account a 100% change in the national currency to convertible currencies," Abai Kulanbay said.

AinurSospanova, Chairperson of Qazaq Green RES Association Board, said the Qazaq Green Association works closely with government agencies and also speaks at press conferences at global and Central Asian venues in Tashkent, Istanbul, Izmir and Tokyo to promoteclean energy sources in Kazakhstan and the region as a whole. She believes "the current generation is responsible to the future generation".

"The development of renewable energy sources plays a huge role not only in the generation process but also in improving the environment. There is a lot of work to be done," she said.

Johannes D. Rey, Director of the Representative office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Kazakhstan, said that the Qazaq Green Association and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation is working to educate the public about the environment and renewable energy. They publish the Qazaq Green magazine and recently launched the qazaqgreen.com portal.

"I am glad that the Foundation can participate in this process, build something together, and give our small support," he said.

Johannes D. Rey said the Konrad Adenauer Foundation holds many conferences and civic education events, conducts policy research, organises scientific and expert forums on global issues, promotes dialogue between countries, and supports students. The Foundation also has a unique position among international organisations and brings global principles to humanity: freedom, peace, and justice.

In his closing remarks, Nurlan Kapenov noted that the Qazaq Green RES Association has established an Awards Committee of the Board of Directors, and approved the Regulations on Awards and the Regulations on the Awards

Committee. The Association has awarded the experts, specialists, employees, servants, veterans, heads of organizations of the renewable energy sector, and members of Qazaq Green for their significant contribution to the development of RES in the Republic of Kazakhstan and high results.   

The highest Qazaq Green award is a medal for contribution to the development of renewable energy in the Republic of Kazakhstan "For contribution to the Development of Renewable Energy in Kazakhstan In addition, the following titles were awarded: "Honoured Professional in Renewable Energy", and "Excellence in Renewable Energy" (awarded to persons working in the RES sector for at least three years for conscientious performance of their duties and fulfilment of major tasks for the sector development).