The Senate of Kazakhstan approved an agreement with China on the construction of three large renewable energy facilities. We are talking about two wind power plants and one solar power plant. They will be placed in Pavlodar, Karaganda and Turkestan regions. The total power will reach 1.8 gigawatts. The facilities are planned to be launched in 2027–2029.
The volume of investment in projects will exceed two billion dollars. The Kazakh energy company Samruk-Energy will act as a co-investor. During the construction phase, about two thousand people will be employed. After commissioning, the stations will create more than two hundred permanent jobs.
The new facilities will generate 5.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. This will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by almost 4.5 million tons annually. For Kazakhstan, which has set a course for carbon neutrality, such indicators are of great importance.
Projects will receive special status. They will be built without auctions, and electricity tariffs will be tied to foreign currency. This will protect investors from price fluctuations. The authorities will help with the allocation of land and speed up permitting procedures. Officials emphasize that additional costs will not fall on the shoulders of the population, and tariffs for people will not increase.
Currently, the share of renewable sources in Kazakhstan’s energy balance is about 7%. By 2030 it is planned to increase it to fifteen. The new stations should bring the country closer to this goal.
All three facilities will be equipped with energy storage systems. Their power will be at least 30% of generation. Batteries will help smooth out peak loads and maintain grid stability when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind subsides.
The agreement with China is part of a strategy to attract foreign investment into green energy. For Kazakhstan, this is also a way to fulfill international obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: exclusive.kz
