Ainur Sospanova, chairwoman of the Board of the Qazaq Green Renewable Energy Association, has identified conditions for successful energy transition and development of green energy during the panel session ‘Energy Transition: The Future Is for Alternative Sources?’ at the II International Congress ECOJER, Qazaq Green reports.

She noted the steps Kazakhstan should do to secure the country's energy transition.

"It is necessary for people who make decisions to understand that the energy transition is an expensive thing. It has to have an impact on tariffs so tariffs have to be reconsidered. In general, we should move to a market mechanism in terms of tariff setting. Otherwise there will be no development," the expert explained.

The Kazakh Energy Ministry developed the "Energy Balance until 2035" which must bring in about 17GW of new capacity. To put that plan into action, the government must now tackle the problem of infrastructure and maneuverability, because renewable energy sources are unstable, Sospanova said.

The Qazaq Green representative outlined actions to attract investors to the country's energy sector.

"In Kazakhstan, the government must provide transparent prices to investors so that they will queue up. Two regions has announced an auction for 1GW of intermittent gas-fired power stations this summer. Investors need to have all the answers to come and participate in this auction: "Where will they buy gas? At what price? Where will they use the electricity? etc." Ainur Sospanova said.

It is essential to develop bilateral contracts for the sale of green energy, she said. The contracts should be with those who need to reduce their carbon footprint. In Kazakhstan these are mining and metallurgical, oil and gas companies. It is precisely such companies which must develop RES in order to be competitive on international markets.

The expert reminded that our country has to fulfil the obligations of the Paris Climate Agreement. The government, business and public organizations must work together to solve all the issues of the energy transition, nd all of them must be completed by 2030. Otherwise, she said, Kazakhstan might not meet its plan on achievement of carbon neutrality until 2060.

The session "Energy Transition: Is the Future in Alternative Sources?" was aimed at discussing the global challenges of carbon regulation, development of ideas and perspectives of the Kazakh industry in the decarbonisation of the national economy and cooperation with the EU on the СВАМ, implementation of the Paris Agreement. Representatives of relevant ministries and departments of major oil and gas and energy companies of Kazakhstan and abroad spoke at the event.