QAZAQ GREEN.  In alignment with global trends towards decarbonization and reducing carbon footprints, Kazakhstan is forging ahead with its renewable energy sources (RES) initiatives. The country's Ministry of Energy has released information detailing the progress of RES in Kazakhstan.

In 2013, a Presidential Decree endorsed the "green economy" transition concept, aimed at driving systemic changes to enhance citizen welfare and elevate Kazakhstan to the ranks of the world's top 30 developed nations, all while being mindful of environmental concerns. Since 2015, Kazakhstan has also actively embraced the fight against climate change by adhering to the Paris Agreement, championing the expansion of renewable energy sources.

"To meet our set targets for RES-based electricity generation – 6% by 2025, 15% by 2030, and 50% by 2050 (factoring in alternative sources), the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan has laid out the Auction Bidding Plan for 2024-2027. Additionally, the Auction Bidding Schedule for 2023 has been established, outlining the goal of offering 6,720 MW in RES projects by 2027," stated the ministry.

As per the Auction Bidding Schedule for 2023, the first auction bidding rounds are scheduled for August 31st and September 1st this year, focusing on the selection of hydroelectric power plant (HPP) projects. Subsequent auction bidding for solar power plants (SPP), wind power plants (WPP), and biomass power plants (BioES) is planned for November this year. The overall capacity up for auction is 860 MW, allocated as follows: 250 MW for HPP projects, 100 MW for SPP, 500 MW for WPP, and 10 MW for BioPP.

As of July this year, the Republic operates 133 RES facilities with a collective installed capacity of 2,527 MW:

• 48 wind power plant facilities with a total capacity of 1,107.5 MW

• 43 solar power plant facilities with a combined capacity of 1,148 MW

• 39 hydroelectric power plant facilities contributing 269.605 MW

• 3 biogas power plant facilities with a capacity of 1.77 MW

In the first half of 2023, renewable energy facilities generated a total of 3.35 billion kWh of electricity (WPP: 1,910 million kWh; SES: 976.3 million kWh; HPP: 461.8 million kWh; BioPP: 1.8 million kWh), accounting for 5.8% of the overall electricity production.

Since 2018, the selection of RES projects has been carried out via an auction mechanism. This approach ensures transparency in project and investor selection while also prioritizing efficient technologies and projects that minimize the impact on end-consumer tariffs resulting from the integration of RES capacities.