Betting on renewables: can Kazakhstan become carbon neutral by 2060?

Kazakhstan has set an ambitious goal - to reach carbon neutrality by 2060. In recent years it has brought the share of renewable energy in total electricity production to 4 percent. It is the sun and the wind that this vast country counts on in its green energy transition.

Astana Expo 2017 is one of the biggest wind power plants in the country, with 29 wind turbines with a total capacity of 100 megawatts producing green energy 40 km from Kazakhstan’s capital. 

"Studies confirm that in Kazakhstan, the wind energy potential is about one trillion kilowatt hours per year." Says Bagdat Oral, Chairman Of CAEPCO JSC. "That is, there is potential and it must be developed with a balanced approach. If we talk specifically about our wind farm in Astana the generation during the year is about 300 million kilowatt-hours. For understanding, this is commensurate with the consumption of about 80,000 residential apartments."

Wind turbines brought here from Europe, are equipped with an ice detection system and operate safely in Kazakhstan’s extremely hot summers and cold winters. The green energy produced here reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 270,000 tons annually.

Green electricity is supplied to the national grid. The state now guarantees its redemption from enterprises for 20 years and indexes tariffs. Since 2018, Kazakhstan has had a system of electronic auctions to attract investment in the renewable energy sector.

“More than 200 companies have taken part in these electronic transparent auctions, from 9 countries of the world, more than 60 contracts have been signed, which means that Kazakhstan attracts international investors into green energy.” Explains Nurlan Kapenov, Chairman Of The Board of, Qazaq Green Association.

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