The issue of energy sustainability stands as a pressing concern in light of global trends, geopolitical challenges, and the current state of Kazakhstan's electricity sector. Over 100 countries have pledged to achieve carbon neutrality between 2050 and 2060. Amidst growing geopolitical tensions, many nations worldwide have expedited the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, propelling the transformation of their energy systems. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has encountered various challenges within its energy sector, including electricity generation shortages, outdated infrastructure, escalating equipment failures, limited maneuvering capacity, and increased dependence on neighboring countries for energy supply.

In line with international climate commitments, Kazakhstan has joined the Paris Agreement and set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% absolutely and 25% conditionally by 2030, contingent upon international support. To fulfill these objectives, Kazakhstan must ensure that its total greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 do not exceed 328 million tonnes of CO2, compared to 386 million tonnes emitted in 1990.

In February 2023, Kazakhstan adopted a Strategy for achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, which focuses on gradually reducing the country's reliance on coal-fired power generation. The Head of State has set a goal for renewable energy sources to contribute 15% to the total electricity generation by 2030.

Recognizing the significance of decarbonizing the nation's economy and facilitating a low-carbon transition for energy sustainability and sustainable development, the Qazaq Green Association of renewable energy sources will host the II International Business Festival on Renewable Energy, Qazaq Green Fest, on May 25-26, 2023. The festival will bring together key industry stakeholders, including domestic and foreign renewable energy investors, international experts, renowned equipment manufacturers, representatives from international organizations and financial institutions, as well as design and engineering companies.

The Festival is expected to feature a welcome address from the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, along with speeches from Yevgeniy Bolgert, Member of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Duissenbay Turganov, Member of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Zulfiya Suleimenova, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Almassadam Satkaliev, Minister of Energy. Distinguished panelists, moderators, and speakers will include the Italian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Mr. Marco Alberti, the British Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Ms. Kathy Leach, and Mr. Sukhrob Hojimatov, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.

The Festival has received official support from the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The panel sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including:

·       Ensuring energy sustainability in Kazakhstan

·       Strategic vision for the development of Kazakhstan's power industry

·       Corporate-level initiatives for reducing carbon footprint

·       Advancements in small-scale renewable energy projects

·       Carbon markets: international experiences and development perspectives in Kazakhstan

·       Future directions for renewable energy development in Kazakhstan: plans, challenges, and prospects

·       Implementation prospects of affordable financing instruments for renewable energy projects

·       Introduction of energy storage systems

·       Promoting domestic investments in renewable energy

·       ESG policy: gender aspects and corporate governance, etc.

The culmination of the discussions during the festival will be the creation of a Charter, which will serve as an appeal from the renewable energy business community to the Government of Kazakhstan, urging further development of renewable energy sources (RES) in the country.

In addition to the festival, the Association is organizing a competition for media representatives to encourage the production of high-quality content on the development of renewable energy sources in Kazakhstan. The competition will have four categories: "Best Publication in Print Media," "Best TV Story on TV Channels," "Best Publication in an Online Publication," and "Best Coverage of the Preparation for the International Business Festival on RES, Qazaq Green Fest." Winners in each category will receive a cash prize. Detailed information about the competition's terms and conditions can be found at https://qazaqgreenfest.kz/meropriyatiya/zhurnalistskij-konkurs/ . The results will be announced and the award ceremony will take place during the festival on May 25, 2023.

Furthermore, the Festival will have the following activities:

·       A charitable event benefiting the children of the Shchuchinsk Orphanage.

·       An exhibition showcasing industry leaders and key players in the renewable energy sector in Kazakhstan.

Registration for the festival and media accreditation remains open until May 20 at https://qazaqgreenfest.kz/en/media-accreditation/ .

For further information, accreditation, and comments, please contact Nadezhda Shayakhmetova at +7 702 403 72 64 (calls and WhatsApp) or via email at konkurs@qazaqgreenfest.kz.

For reference:

• The Qazaq Green RES Association is a non-profit organization established in 2018 to support the development of renewable energy sources in Kazakhstan. It brings together investors, developers, equipment manufacturers, international financial institutions, and universities. The association is accredited by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

• The International Renewable Energy Business Festival, previously known as Solar Fest Qazaqstan, was the first renewable energy festival held in Kazakhstan in 2019. It gathered over 300 industry representatives, including government agencies, financial institutions, domestic and foreign investors, international experts, and industry leaders. The event focused on current issues in renewable energy development in Kazakhstan, addressing challenges, prospects, and pressing concerns. The discussions during the festival led to the creation of a Charter, representing the collective voice of the industry's business community and raising important development issues. Many of these issues have since been resolved or received support from the government, such as stimulating small-scale projects, addressing solvency risks of conditional consumers, ensuring financial sustainability of the settlement and financial center for RES, human resource training, and inclusion of RES projects in the List of Priority Activities for Investment Projects. Thus, the festival has become a crucial platform for discussions on RES in Kazakhstan, bridging the perspectives of government agencies and businesses. This year, the second Renewable Energy Festival has been renamed the II International Renewable Energy Business Festival, Qazaq Green Fest 2023, with the theme "Energy Sustainability of Kazakhstan: Energy Transition," aligning with the country's international commitments to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

The festival's General Partner is HUAWEI, and the official sponsors include LONGi, SANY, TotalEnergies, and Jusan Bank. The Festival is also sponsored by Jinko Solar, Zhanatas Wind-Power Station, UNICASE, Bureau Veritas, KAZENERGY, Hevel Kazakhstan, Alageum Electric, Profland, Eurasian Development Bank, and the UN Development Programme. The official hotel partner of the Festival is Rixos Hotel Borovoe.