QAZAQ GREEN. Ainur Sospanova, Chairperson of the Board of Qazaq Green Renewable Energy Association, emphasized the crucial role of Central Asian countries collaborating to harness the potential of renewable energy efficiently. She shared her insights during the ENERGY WEEK CENTRAL ASIA&MONGOLIA 2023 event in Astana, held on September 19-20.

Sospanova highlighted the need for government dialogues, similar to the successful Nord Pool project, to prevent issues such as underestimated output, disputes, and complications related to payment norms.

"In the case of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other countries, I believe it's essential for governments to engage in a dialogue on how these countries can come together, drawing inspiration from the Nord Pool project, and embark on similar initiatives in our own region. Otherwise, we will build these facilities, but they will not be able to work efficiently. Their output will be underestimated, there will be some disputes, take or pay norms will be fired, and so on, but there will be no efficiency from the introduction of renewable energy on a large scale, which is in the plans of the countries," she said.

Sospanova also emphasized the importance of cooperation at multiple levels, including system operators, markets, and digitalization of the industry. She noted the diverse energy generation profiles of countries in the region, such as Uzbekistan's gas-fired generation, Kazakhstan's coal-fired generation, and Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan's hydroelectric focus. Collaborating would create a more balanced energy portfolio, aligning with both decarbonization goals and economic development.

The Chairperson underlined that renewable energy development is pertinent across the region, but to achieve success, these countries must act cohesively within one energy system, considering each other's plans. As significant green projects are on the horizon, it is crucial for these countries to actively engage with one another.

Sospanova provided examples of the substantial renewable energy projects in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, which are set to have a substantial impact on the energy landscape. Kazakhstan, in particular, has attracted investment for solar and wind farms and has developed a skilled workforce for large projects. However, she acknowledged that the expansion of grid infrastructure faces challenges with the integration of new renewable energy sources.

Kathy Leach, the UK Ambassador to Kazakhstan, emphasized the pivotal role of government policy in effectively communicating directives to both corporations and the general public.

The Ambassador stressed that governments must prioritize the communication of strong policy messages to the private sector, and in this regard, Kazakhstan is no different. She pointed out that in the developmental trajectory of all nations, including Kazakhstan, from the grassroots to the summit, it is becoming progressively critical for small and medium-sized enterprises to acknowledge the importance of this agenda.

Additionally, Ambassador Leach underscored the importance of fostering cooperation among regional countries to strike a harmonious balance in the pursuit of zero carbon emissions. She also highlighted energy efficiency as a vital component in achieving carbon neutrality.

Zhaslan Kassenov, Director of the Department of Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Energy, discussed the need for a combination of small and large hydropower plants to balance the imbalances created by renewable energy sources. He pointed out that Kazakhstan has abundant hydropower potential, especially in regions like the Irtysh River basin, the Ili River basin, the Syr Darya, Talas, and Chu river basins.

"It should be noted that about 90 percent of all rivers in the country are small, which makes the construction of small hydropower plants economically feasible. Projects related to their commissioning are being systematically implemented. The country's need for maneuvering capacity sets us the task of introducing a large number of small and large hydropower plants in the near future," he said.

Open international auctions for new RES in Kazakhstan have been held since 2018. Over this period, a total of 232 companies from 13 different countries, including Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Turkey, Germany, France, Bulgaria, Italy, UAE, Netherlands, Malaysia, Spain, and Singapore, have actively participated in these bidding processes. Between 2018 and 2022, a notable tally of 54 auctions took place, culminating in the selection of 83 projects. The Ministry of Energy anticipates heightened investor attraction in these auctions, primarily due to the extension of the guaranteed purchase period for the entire electricity production by a renewable energy entity, now set at 20 years compared to the previous 15 years. This extension also incorporates annual tariff adjustments, further enhancing the appeal of these opportunities.