QAZAQ GREEN.  On 21 April 2025, Astana hosted a seminar titled “Decarbonizing Heating and Cooling with Geothermal Heat Pumps: A Clean and Sustainable Solution,” organized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In his opening remarks, Vice Minister of Energy Sungat Yessimkhanov highlighted the importance of adopting modern, environmentally friendly technologies in the heating sector. He noted that geothermal heat pumps present a promising path for sustainable energy development in Kazakhstan, particularly in light of the country’s international climate commitments.

Ekaterina Benjamin, Head of IFC’s Kazakhstan office, shared insights into the potential and global experience with geothermal systems. She emphasized the efficiency of 5th-generation district energy networks, which can provide heating and cooling at the neighborhood scale.

Key takeaways from experts included:

• 5th-generation systems operate at ambient temperatures (3–25°C), offering superior energy efficiency.
• They can deliver both heating and cooling simultaneously—crucial in the face of climate variability.
• Geothermal infrastructure can be deployed similarly to traditional district heating or gas systems.
• The technology is highly adaptable, suitable even for regions with severe winters.

Organizers noted that scaling up geothermal heat pumps in Kazakhstan could significantly cut carbon emissions in the building and utilities sectors, while also enhancing regional energy independence and resilience.