- Masdar signed an investment agreement for a 1GW wind farm in Kazakhstan, its most significant regional project, during COP29.
- The wind farm, located in the Jambyl region, will power 300,000 households and reduce carbon emissions by 2 million tons annually.
- The project, which has critical partnerships with W Solar and Qazaq Green Power, supports Kazakhstan’s goal of 15% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2050.
Based in Abu Dhabi, Masdar signed an investment agreement for a 1GW wind farm project in Kazakhstan during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. This marks a significant step for renewable energy in Central Asia.
The wind farm in Kazakhstan’s Jambyl region will be one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Masdar will develop the project, which includes a 600-megawatt-hour (MWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to stabilise the local energy supply.
Kazakhstan aims to expand its renewable energy capacity, targeting 15% by 2030 and 50% by 2050. The 1GW wind farm will power around 300,000 households in southern Kazakhstan and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2 million tons annually, supporting the country’s carbon neutrality goal by 2060.
Masdar has partnered with W Solar, Qazaq Green Power (a subsidiary of the Samruk-Kazyna Group), and the Kazakhstan Investment Development Fund. Top officials, including Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Nurlan Baibazarov and Samruk-Kazyna Chairman Nurlan Zhakupov, attended the signing ceremony.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, H.E. Almassadam Satkaliyev, emphasised that the project is crucial to sustainable development. He stated that collaborating with Masdar positions Kazakhstan as a leader in regional renewable energy.
Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi expressed optimism about the project’s benefits for the region. He stated that the wind farm will help Kazakhstan achieve its energy goals and strengthen its role in the Central Asian energy transition. The project aligns with the UAE Consensus, pushing for a threefold global renewable energy capacity increase by 2030.
Masdar and its partners expect to overcome technical challenges, including the harsh climate in the Jambyl region and the complexity of integrating the energy storage system. They aim to deliver sustainable and reliable energy to Kazakhstan.
The wind farm is set to attract additional investment in Kazakhstan’s renewable energy sector and inspire similar projects in other CIS countries. Kazakhstan seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels while modernising its energy infrastructure.
The project strengthens the UAE-Kazakhstan partnership in clean energy. During COP28, both nations committed to advancing Kazakhstan’s renewable energy sector. The 1GW wind farm highlights this collaboration, reflecting Kazakhstan’s efforts to overhaul its energy landscape.
Kazakh authorities and global partners view this wind farm as the first of many large-scale renewable energy initiatives. By working with Masdar and other international players, Kazakhstan moves closer to becoming a leader in regional clean energy.