QAZAQ GREEN. On 31 August 2023, Kazakhstan held the first day of the auction bidding on RES for the Northern and Southern zones of the Unified Electric Power System of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the selection of hydroelectric power plant projects with a total installed capacity of 20 MW, according to the website of "Kazakhstan electricity and power market operator" JSC (KOREM JSC).

The marginal auction price for the selection of HPP projects in 2023, as approved by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was set at 41.23 KZT per kWh (excluding VAT).

15 companies were allowed to participate in the auction bidding. During the trading session, participants submitted a total of 100 price bids. Throughout the competitive process, the auction bidders managed to drive down the price range of bids from 41.23 KZT to 17.5 KZT per kWh (excluding VAT).

A notable highlight was the remarkable reduction in prices, reaching 57.5% of the maximum auction price for the selection of HPP construction projects during this year's auction bidding.

Based on the results of the auction bidding, the following organizations emerged as winners:

• "Bekzat" LLP with a project installed capacity of 4.8 MW, winning bid at 17.5 KZT per kWh (excluding VAT).

• "DALA SOLAR LLP with a project installed capacity of 2 MW, winning bid at 17.51 KZT per kWh (excluding VAT).

• "DALA SOLAR" LLP with a project installed capacity of 2 MW, winning bid at 17.52 KZT per kWh (excluding VAT).

• "DALA SOLAR" LLP with a project installed capacity of 2 MW, winning bid at 17.53 KZT per kWh (excluding VAT).

• "DALA SOLAR" LLP with a project installed capacity of 2 MW, winning bid at 17.54 KZT per kWh (excluding VAT).

• "DALA SOLAR" LLP with a project installed capacity of 2 MW, winning bid at 17.55 KZT per kWh (excluding VAT).

• FTR Green LTD LLP with a project installed capacity of 4.5 MW, winning bid at 17.8 KZT per kWh (excluding VAT).

In adherence to the Rules of Organization and Conduct of Auction Bidding, representatives from Kazakhstan Electric Power Association LLP, KAZENERGY LLP, Qazaq Green RES Association LLP, Asian Development Bank, and USAID took part as observers.

Observers have commended the complete transparency of the electronic trading system used by the auction organizer - KOREM JSC.

The forthcoming auction is scheduled for September 1, 2023, at 02:00 p.m. It will focus on selecting projects for hydroelectric power plants with a collective installed capacity of 200 MW.

This auction serves as a pivotal stage in the systematic development of renewable energy sources. Its core objective is to identify the most efficient projects and establish competitive market prices for electricity generated by RES facilities.