KAZAKHSTAN Trends and Developments Contributed by: Arman Bigazin, Mikhail Abdulov, Olzhas Abubakirov and Lidiya Sayenko, Haller Lomax LLP
2024 to determine whether the public supports the construction of NPPs in the country. According to offi- cial data, about 70% of the voters who participated in the referendum voted in favour of this decision. How- ever, the results also indicate significant concerns among a large section of the population regarding the safety and justification of the country’s transition to nuclear energy. Following the referendum, Rosatom has been desig- nated as the leader of the international consortium for the construction of NPP project. On 20 June 2025, dur- ing the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, an Indicative Roadmap outlining the main stages of the project was approved, from engineering surveys to the signing of an EPC contract and project docu- mentation. A framework agreement was also signed between Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP and Atomstroyexport JSC (Rosatom’s engineering com- pany) to define key principles of co-operation for the project in Zhambyl district of the Almaty region. In addition, the agenda concerning the development of green hydrogen projects, hydropower, and energy storage systems is highly relevant in the country. Renewable Energy Projects The government aims to achieve a 50% share of alter- native and renewable electricity by 2050. Since 2014, the number of renewable energy facilities has consist- ently increased. Currently, there are around 150 operating renewable energy facilities (over 100 kW) in Kazakhstan with a total capacity of 3.2 GW. Until the end of 2025 it is planned to commission nine additional facilities with a combined capacity of 455 MW. By 2035, the coun- try plans to attract leading international investors to construct at least 8.4 GW of new renewable capacity. In 2024, the share of renewable energy in Kazakhstan’s total electricity generation reached 6.43%, reflecting continued growth in the sector. If this growth rate per- sists, the government’s ambitious target of achieving 15% of electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030 may be within reach.
The Law on Support for the Use of Renewable Energy Sources provides for such types of support as: • a fixed tariff for 15 years; • a guaranteed purchase of electricity by a settle- ment and financial centre; and • the exemption of renewable energy producers from fees for the transmission of electricity services by transmission organisations. Legislative changes in June 2024 permit individu- als, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and farms to generate and sell electricity from renewable sources with capacities of up to 200 kW, without requiring business registration. This development aims to promote the economic viability of small-scale renewable energy projects, enabling citizens to offset costs and potentially earn from surplus energy sales. The economic impact of this measure is particularly significant in regions with high electricity tariffs. Funding for renewable projects in Kazakhstan is pre- dominantly provided by development banks. The larg- est lender is the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which has issued loans totalling KZT162 billion (approximately USD300 million) and has financed more than one-third of all renewable projects in Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstan Develop- ment Bank followed with KZT67 billion (approximately USD124 million), having financed around 20% of the country’s total installed renewable capacity, and the China Development Bank has contributed KZT29 bil- lion (approximately USD53.7 million). To stimulate the use of renewable energy projects, Kazakhstan provides state support for green financ- ing. Green finance refers to investments aimed at the implementation of green projects and attracted through green bonds, green loans and other financial instruments. In 2020, Kazakhstan used green bonds for the first time with the help of the Damu Fund, together with the United Nations Development Pro- gramme (UNDP) partnership. Trends in Waste Management in Kazakhstan The Industrial Development Fund of Kazakhstan has approved financing for four waste recycling projects as part of its commitment to sustainable development
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