QAZAQ GREEN. The Mazhilis has approved in the first reading a draft law on amendments to the issues of supporting the use of renewable energy sources, electric power industry and natural monopolies, Informburo reports.

Deputy Duissenbay Turganov noted that the adoption of the draft law will contribute to the active introduction of renewable energy sources (RES) into everyday life, the development of a new promising direction of services, the creation of new jobs, the further evolutionary development of network infrastructure, and attracting investments in the energy sector of the country.  

Thanks to these amendments, Kazakhstanis will be able to sell surplus electricity from their own small-scale RES.

“For the first time, the concept of “small-scale renewable energy facility” is being introduced. It means wind, solar and other alternative power plants with a capacity of no more than 200 MW. Such small-scale renewable energy sources can be used for the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, peasant and farm households, as well as private and apartment buildings,” according to the Mazhilis explanation.

Net consumers (individuals or legal entities that fully or partially provide their own electricity consumption from their own RES facility) will be able to sell surplus generated electricity to the energy supply organization. To do this, the owner of the RES facility does not need to register as an individual entrepreneur.

The maximum price for electricity is set by the Committee for Regulation of Natural Monopolies. The authorized bodies will also approve the rules for connecting small-scale RES facilities to the common power grid and standard contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity from net consumers.

The draft law grants small hydroelectric power plants (up to 10 MW) the right to directly sell electricity to unregulated energy supply organizations - companies that supply electricity to individual private enterprises.

In addition, the project provides for budget financing of regional electric grid companies (RECs). Today, the wear and tear of the technical equipment of these companies reaches 70-80% in the republic.

Loans will be provided to municipal RECs at a minimum interest rate for 20 years. For commercial RECs, lending is provided through the Development Bank of Kazakhstan at 7%.