Measures to achieve carbon neutrality presented to government

By 2025, Kazakhstan will attract one trillion tenge (US$2.3 billion) of investments in the development of renewable energy sources. Kazakh Energy Minister Magzum Mirzagaliyev announced this at the Government’s meeting. 62 RES projects with a total capacity of one gigawatt are planned to be launched in the next four years. By 2025, the share of gasification of the population will reach 60 percent. About 12 million citizens will thus have access to gas. Mirzagaliyev noted that measures are being taken in the country to comprehensively convert thermal power plants to gas. Thus, two thermal power stations in Nur-Sultan will switch to gas in 2022. And in Almaty, the transition of three combined heat and power plants will be completed by 2026. In addition, it is planned to build steam and gas plants in the south of the country. According to the relevant ministry, the main purpose of these measures is to protect the environment and reduce harmful emissions.

“The above plans will lead to the following changes in the structure of electricity generation. First, the share of coal production will decrease from 70 to 40 percent. Secondly, gas production will increase from 20 to 38 percent. Third, the share of renewable energy sources will increase from 3 to 15 percent. This will enable Kazakhstan to fulfill its obligations under the Paris Agreement and lay the foundation for further decarbonization and carbon neutrality by 2060,” said Mirzagaliyev.

Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova

Edited by Saule Mukhamejanova