- Kazakhstan will modernise coal plants with clean technologies while adding 6.3 GW of renewable capacity in five years.
- This energy strategy aligns with President Tokayev’s directive to cut its carbon footprint while ensuring energy security.
Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said on Tuesday, September 9, that Kazakhstan is pressing ahead with plans to modernise its coal-fired power sector while significantly expanding renewable energy capacity.
He explained that the strategy reflects President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state-of-the-nation address on September 8, which set out a path to cut the country’s carbon footprint without jeopardising energy security.
“For Kazakhstan, the energy transition is not an end in itself, but a tool for sustainable development based on the real capabilities of the energy system and the state’s long-term interests,” Tokayev said in his address.
Kazakhstan holds 33.6 billion tons of proven coal reserves, making an immediate exit from coal unrealistic. Instead, the government plans to deploy cleaner technologies to reduce the sector’s environmental impact. Upcoming projects include combined heat and power plants in Kokshetau, Semei, and Ust-Kamenogorsk, alongside major stations in Kurchatov and Ekibastuz.
In parallel, the country is accelerating its green transition. Authorities intend to add 6.3 gigawatts of renewable generation over the next five years, expanding the share of solar, wind, and hydro in the national energy mix.
Officials say the dual-track approach, investing in clean coal while boosting renewables, highlights Kazakhstan’s effort to balance sustainable development with reliable supply.