QAZAQ GREEN.  With Kazakhstan facing a growing energy deficit, the decision between renewable energy sources (RES) and nuclear power has become a pressing concern. The role and potential of each of these sources in shaping the overall volume of energy generation and addressing the energy deficit are discussed in a review by BaigeNews.kz.

In the past decade, Kazakhstan has actively embraced renewable energy sources, establishing solar and wind power facilities across the nation. To demonstrate its commitment, a concept was adopted aiming to raise the share of renewables in total energy production to 50% by 2050. While this target date may seem distant, the energy sector operates with significant inertia, requiring substantial time for development. Despite government support for RES projects through tax incentives and favorable lending conditions, the renewable energy share has yet to surpass 10%. This underscores the importance of deliberating the country's energy strategy regarding the integration of carbon-free sources.

"The energy deficit in Kazakhstan is indeed escalating, and renewable energy sources have been extensively introduced in recent years as part of the government's policy. Consequently, investors have come to the country and established 2.5 gigawatts of RES-based capacities, partially alleviating the deficit," stated Ainur Sospanova, Chairperson of the Board of the Qazaq Green RES Association.

According to Sospanova, the increasing energy deficit poses a challenge to Kazakhstan's economic growth, necessitating authorities to explore every avenue to boost generation.

"Today, all energy sources should be accounted for in the electricity balance, prioritizing those with the least risk in terms of environmental impact, tariffs, speed of capacity expansion, and risk mitigation. In this context, RES present numerous advantages and disadvantages," remarked an expert.

Key among these drawbacks is the variability of RES sources, making them unreliable as a primary energy source due to their dependence on unpredictable factors such as sunlight, wind, and weather patterns. Until efficient and affordable energy storage technology for RES becomes available, solar and wind power plants cannot ensure stable and predictable energy supply to households and industries compared to conventional energy sources like thermal, hydro, and nuclear power plants.

International nuclear power experts argue that abandoning traditional fossil fuel sources without incorporating nuclear power plants would be challenging. Germany's experience is illustrative, as it phased out all nuclear power plants, which previously accounted for 22.5% of its electricity generation, expecting renewable energy sources to fill the gap. However, renewables fell short, and Germany transitioned from a net exporter to a net importer of electricity, relying on neighboring France's nuclear power capacity.

"When comparing the capital costs of constructing nuclear versus wind/solar power plants, nuclear power may appear more expensive initially. Yet, in the long term, nuclear power could be more cost-effective due to its resilience to weather fluctuations, a crucial aspect given the dependency of solar and wind generation on natural conditions," stated the expert.

Both renewable energy sources and nuclear power share the common goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector. Nuclear power is acknowledged as one of the least carbon-intensive energy sources, alongside wind, solar, and hydro, potentially making a substantial contribution to greening the energy sector by 2050.

In conclusion, addressing Kazakhstan's energy deficit necessitates a comprehensive approach, giving equal attention to both RES and nuclear power development. While renewables offer rapid deployment and relative affordability, other sources such as nuclear power must also be considered for their sustainability and potential in ensuring the country's long-term energy security.

Furthermore, it's worth noting that nuclear power is among the most environmentally friendly energy sources, emitting four times less carbon dioxide than solar power over its lifecycle. Given Kazakhstan's commitment to decarbonization, all potential energy sources—from RES to nuclear power—should be considered. Experts are confident that these sources are not mutually exclusive and can coexist harmoniously, pending a decision by the Kazakhstani people in a national referendum on nuclear power plant construction.