QAZAQ GREEN. Aktau hosts the IV International Business Festival on Renewable Energy “QazaqGreenFest” under the theme "Energy Transformation: From Renewable Energy to Alternative Energy" in Mangistau region at Rixos Water World Aktau. The event brings together hundreds of participants including government officials, international company representatives, financial institutions, and academic community members.

Organized by the Qazaq Green Renewable Sources Energy Association, the festival establishes itself as the premier platform for discussing strategic renewable energy development in Kazakhstan. After 16 years of sector growth, Kazakhstan operates more than 150 renewable energy facilities with combined capacity exceeding 3.2 GW, representing 7% of the country's energy mix and attracting over 1 trillion tenge in foreign investment.

Parliament Deputy Duisenbay Turganov notes regulatory improvements: "In 2023–2024, we adopt legislation regulating small-scale renewable energy development for households and small-to-medium businesses." Work continues on a new Alternative Energy Sources Law at the President's initiative.

Deputy Minister of Energy Sungat Yessimkhanov outlines Kazakhstan's ambitious transformation plans: "Kazakhstan sets an ambitious but absolutely necessary goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Over the next five years, we plan to commission 6.3 GW of renewable energy capacity, significantly increasing its share in the country's energy balance. We develop hydrogen energy and green energy production, utilizing industrial gases. Projections show renewable energy's share growing to 10–12% by 2050. This is not limited to statements about green transformation — we are creating reality, considering our economic realities, infrastructure condition, and the interests of citizens and businesses."

Deputy Akim of the Mangistau region Abbat Urisbayev highlights the area's strategic advantages: "Our strategic advantage is Kazakhstan's Caspian gateway. The ports of Aktau and Kuryk are becoming key links in the Middle Corridor." He emphasizes international cooperation on creating a green energy corridor with undersea cables across the Caspian Sea floor for renewable energy exports to Europe.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qazaq Green RES Association Nurlan Kapenov emphasizes industry momentum: "Once, achieving 3% renewable energy share is considered success, but today we are approaching 7%. This means we can do more — with greater technology, competence, and sustainability." He highlights new legislation covering emerging technologies including hydrogen, synthesis gas, industrial gas utilization, and waste heat recovery, while opening opportunities for bilateral corporate PPA contracts and energy storage systems.

The festival features participation from senior officials including Senate Deputy Yevgeniy Bolgert, KEGOC Managing Director Nurzhan Kerimkulov, General Director of Financial Settlement Center for Renewable Energy Support Gulzhan Nalibayeva, and executives from TotalEnergies, Huawei, and Plenitude Kazakhstan, alongside leading university rectors.

Kapenov highlights Mangistau region's pioneering role: "It's symbolic that Kazakhstan's first corporate PPA is being implemented here — a 247 MW hybrid power plant combining solar, wind, and gas. This project demonstrates Kazakhstan's readiness for new market models."

Three cooperation memoranda are signed during the business program:
• Memorandum of Understanding between Mangistau Region Akimat and Qazaq Green RES Association
• Cooperation Memorandum between KEGOC JSC and GIZ (the German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation)
• Memorandum of Understanding between Qazaq Green RES Association and ECOSIONA (Spain)

In his opening address, Kapenov emphasizes Kazakhstan's natural advantages: "We have a unique advantage many countries lack: vast steppes filled with sun and wind. This inexhaustible energy is given by nature itself — renewable, clean, and safe."

The festival concludes with the adoption of a traditional Charter — the renewable energy business community’s appeal to the Government outlining sector development priorities for the coming year. The document sets out specific proposals for legislative improvements, new technology development, and strengthening Kazakhstan’s renewable energy position.

The event demonstrates Kazakhstan's readiness for the next phase of energy transformation, balancing technological progress, economic development, and environmental responsibility. The V International QazaqGreenFest is scheduled for 2026.