QAZAQ GREEN. In a groundbreaking move, School No. 65 in Shymkent has installed a 50 kW solar power plant on its roof as part of a memorandum with Solarway Energy LLP. This initiative is expected to save approximately 70,000 kWh of electricity annually—equivalent to 4.7 million tenge—while also reducing CO₂ emissions by 60,000 kg, contributing to a cleaner environment in the region, reports Otyrar.kz.

This project marks a significant milestone for the city, as School No. 65 has become the first state-owned institution in Kazakhstan to sign a contract to sell surplus electricity back to the grid. The agreement was made with Energopotok LLP, a guaranteed supplier, and the electricity is metered through a bidirectional system that enables real-time balancing and settlement between the parties.

Kazakhstan's President has repeatedly emphasized the importance of transitioning to a green economy and improving energy sector management from production to distribution. The launch of this renewable energy facility aligns with a recently signed law aimed at promoting small-scale renewable energy projects in the country.

The installation of the solar plant was made possible with the support of Otustik Zharyk Transit LLP, which, in coordination with the REC management, expedited the issuance of technical specifications and facilitated the seamless integration of the plant into the city's power grid. The success of this pilot project paves the way for similar initiatives in other public institutions, including schools, hospitals, and government buildings.

This initiative is the result of an agreement between Shymkent’s Akim, G. Syzdykbekov, and the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Kazakhstan Utility Systems LLP, D. Idrisov. As part of this partnership, Otustik Zharyk Transit LLP has committed to supporting the expansion of renewable energy in Shymkent. Plans are already in place to scale up green energy capacity to 25 MW using small-scale generation solutions.

Beyond cost savings for public institutions, this model demonstrates the economic potential of decentralized solar energy. The ability to sell excess power back to the grid creates new revenue opportunities while accelerating Kazakhstan’s shift toward a more sustainable, low-carbon future.