Due to the ongoing impacts of climate change, the development of clean energy has become a priority for many of the world. One important consequence of climate change is the increase in the intensity and frequency of wildfires, as seen in recent catastrophes. California wildfiresalong with more intense storms and prolonged droughts.
This was especially true in Central Asia. Vulnerable These effects address water shortages and extreme weather patterns. The glacier is retreating at an incredible rate, feeding rivers that are now struggling to maintain their growing population. Kazakh farmers face challenges as once-reliable water sources have declined and are often dying under droughts in the summer. Extreme weather, once an exception, has now become a new normal. In April 2024, an entire village in northern Kazakhstan was submerged as unprecedented. flood Sweeped through the area.
These environmental changes are at risk of disrupting food production and causing a living. For decades, the country’s dependence on fossil fuels did not seem to be shaking. But now, in the face of a climate disaster at home, Kazakhstan embraces clean energy as a need, not just ambition.
Climate change forces the development of renewable energy
Last December, Kazakh President Kasim Jomart Tokayev It’s attracting attention Over 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and over 4 billion people have experienced severe water shortages at the One Water Summit in Riyadh. To address these challenges, he announced Kazakhstan’s plan to work with the United Nations in 2026 to host a regional climate conference to promote cooperation and solutions for water management in Central Asia.
In addition to this, Kazakhstan is beginning to reconstruct its energy landscape and investing in clean energy to mitigate environmental risks. By the end of 2024, Kazakhstan had it It’s been built Its network of 148 renewable energy facilities will generate approximately 3,000 megawatts of clean power. Wind turbines currently dot the skyline across 59 wind farms, with 46 solar power plants taking advantage of the region’s abundant sunlight. Hydroelectric power plants and biomass plants further diversify the mix. However, despite these advances, renewables still account for just 5% of Kazakhstan’s energy supply. This is determined by the government to support it. The goal is for renewable energy to reach 15% of energy mixing by 2030 and 50% by 2050.
But can a country deeply connected to coal and oil truly change its economy? And will international investors continue to be committed in the long term?
For now, the signs are promising. $1.4 billion wind farm, I’m at the front It is set by Masdar in the UAE to inject 1 gigawatt (GW) of clean energy into the grid in Kazakhstan. The French energy giants’ total is committed to wind farms of similar size. And it is a movement that can recharge domestic clean energy production, and is held by Envision Energy, a global leader in green technology. Broken ground About Khorgos’ new wind turbine and energy storage manufacturing facility.
Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit on January 14th, Tokaev. It is listed “It is very important that international partners, including Masdar, Total, Eni, and others, have pledged their 43 GW green energy project at Kazakhstan.” But whether these investments will lead to long-term energy conversions. It will be the ultimate test in the next few years.
Tokayev also assembled the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant – approved by the nation Referendum – As a game changer in the nation’s promotion of sustainable energy. The transition to nuclear power could be a departure from the past as coal still generates more than 60% of Kazakhstan’s electricity. Nuclear advocates say that unlike winds and suns that depend on nature, nuclear energy provides a stable, carbon-free power source. If realized, nuclear power plants could help Kazakhstan meet carbon-neutral targets by 2060. However, the success of the project depends on ensuring international investment, attracting first-class expertise and perhaps most importantly, gaining public trust.
The need for international cooperation
External support is required for Kazakhstan’s clean energy transition. Last year’s COP29 in Baku, Kazakhstan It’s secured It has signed approximately $3.7 billion in contracts with international companies and development agencies to advance green energy projects. Europe has emerged as an important ally here. Kazakhstan and the European Union Formalization Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials, Batteries and Renewable Hydrogen – A transaction designed to create a sustainable supply chain and drive green technology innovation. To support this, Kazakhstan The ramp is up The exploration of key minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel is consistent with the global drive for electrification and clean energy storage.
Germany also has it It’s doubled About the energy connection with Kazakhstan. During his 2024 visit, Prime Minister Olaf Scholz secured a fresh agreement focusing on renewable energy development and key minerals. This is essential for Europe’s transition from fossil fuels.
The issue of nuclear energy is also attracting international attention. November 2024, Tokaev I met With Emmanuel Macron, French President of Paris. With a long history of nuclear energy, France has been able to play an important role in helping Kazakhstan build its first nuclear power plant. However, this is unlikely to be a solo effort. Kazakhstan is I’m considering The formation of an international consortium involving potentially Russia, China and other global players ensures a diverse pool of expertise and technology.
Close to my home, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan signature Last November, a strategic partnership agreement was made on green energy development and electricity transmission. The agreement is designed to enhance energy security in Central Asia and create a more interconnected electricity market.
The current challenge is to ensure that these collaborations lead to lasting and tangible progress.
Can Kazakhstan overcome fossil fuel traps?
Kazakhstan is advancing clean energy, but in reality, fossil fuels still dominate the country’s electricity grid. Freeing from this dependence involves navigating the social and economic changes that come with the transition from coal and oil. The entire industry, work and community are built around these resources, and bold policies and strong leadership are needed to move towards a greener economy.
The stakes are high. Climate change is no longer a distant threat, and Kazakhstan feels its effect. The catastrophic floods of 2024 and the worsening water scarcity in the region have forced the country to rethink its energy future. The planned construction of the first nuclear power plant shows that, along with the expansion of renewable energy projects, the country is serious about its plans. However, achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 is not easy for Kazakhstan, especially when it comes to economic diversification and reducing dependence on oil revenues. Nevertheless, if Kazakhstan can successfully utilize international investment, technology expertise and regional cooperation, it could set an energy-rich country precedent that navigates the clean energy transition.
