Is Kazakhstan a good place to invest in solar power?

Kazakhstan has remarkable solar potential with a very well-designed auction system, a clear renewable capacity addition schedule, and a solid decarbonisation target. The country is now also including storage systems as part of its public procurement strategy in a move that will ease further integration of renewables into the grid.

How much solar power does Kazakhstan have?

In just five short years, solar power capacity has catapulted to 300 megawatts nationwide, and if you add other renewables like wind and hydropower, that number exceeds 700 megawatts, enough power to supply around 200,000 families in Kazakhstan. To understand just how remarkable this is, you have to know the context.

What is the energy potential of Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan has significant potential for renewable energy. The wind potential is estimated to be 1.8trn kWh per year, which is close to 10 times Kazakhstan’s current energy consumption, according to UN estimates. Solar energy also has great potential given the number of sunny hours per year, typically between 2,200 and 3,000 hours, implying a capacity of 1,300-1,800kW/sqm per year. Hydro power is another renewable energy source with potential in Kazakhstan.

How many solar power plants will Kazakhstan have in 2020?

According to the Strategic development plan of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Concept of transition to a ‘green economy’, about 28 solar power plants are planned to be put into operation by the end of 2020.

How many power plants are there in Kazakhstan?

Up to the present moment, the country has 72 active renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 634 MW – 200.25 MW hydroelectric power plants, 249 MW solar power stations, 183.25 MW wind power stations and 1.65 MW biogas facility. Overall, power plants of Kazakhstan in January 2019 produced 9 944.4 million kWh of electricity.

Can solar power drive Kazakhstan's Energy Transition?

However, Kazakhstan’s solar ambitions do not fully tap into its potential, and the technology could play a far larger role in the country’s energy transition due to its low cost and flexibility. The focus now is on leveraging solar’s comparative advantages to drive forward Kazakhstan’s decarbonisation and harness its significant solar resources.