QAZAQ GREEN. During Kazakhstan Energy Week 2025, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) hosted a high-level roundtable on “Accelerating the Implementation of Renewable Energy in Central Asia.”

The event brought together IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev, Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Jumashofakir, as well as international experts and government delegates.

Discussions focused on advancing the energy transition in Central Asia through IRENA’s APRECA initiative. Participants examined practical steps to triple renewable energy capacity and boost energy efficiency by 2030, with particular attention to infrastructure development, regional integration, localisation of production, legislative improvements, and investment mobilisation.

Minister Akkenzhenov highlighted Kazakhstan’s steady progress in decarbonisation and renewable energy deployment:
“While we began with only a few pilot projects, today Kazakhstan operates 158 renewable energy facilities with a combined capacity exceeding 3.2 GW. In 2025 alone, we plan to launch nine new projects with more than 450 MW of capacity. Looking ahead to 2035, Kazakhstan will work with leading international companies to add at least 8.4 GW of new capacity,” he stated.

He underlined that these measures are central to Kazakhstan’s climate targets: a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. He also emphasised IRENA’s role in advancing knowledge and technology in renewable energy:
“For Kazakhstan, cooperation with IRENA is strategically important. It supports not only our national policy, but also strengthens regional collaboration. I am confident that through joint efforts we will reach our climate goals and contribute meaningfully to the global energy transition,” Akkenzhenov noted.

The roundtable concluded with a reaffirmation of the parties’ commitment to expand cooperation, exchange best practices, and enhance regional energy security while accelerating renewable energy deployment across Central Asia.