Wind Power in KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan has tremendous wind power potential, above all in the Djungar Gates and Chilik Corredor (Almaty) areas. The proximity of power transmission lines, the local power market demand, etc., are factors that favour the development of renewable energies in these areas.   Despite its great wind power potential, Kazakhstan has only installed a capacity of 500 kW.

Kazakhstan is the regional leader in terms of wind-power resources per capita.  The wind potential in the Djungar Gate mountain pass to China in itself could deliver 1.3 billion kWh of electric power per year.  The wind atlas of the country is already available and the wind speed of more than 50 per cent of the area of Kazakhstan reaches 4-5 m/s at an altitude of 30 m, and in some areas along the shore of the Caspian Sea, wind speeds exceed 6 m/s.

The best places for the development of wind power projects are:

  The South-east of the country: Djungar Gate – the region south of Lake Alakol on the Chinese Border, the Chu-Iliysky mountains in the Astana region, Tien-Shan (Karatau mountain range) in the Jambul area.

  The Western part of the country: In the south of the Urals (Mugojar mountains).  The Caspian region – Mangyshlak peninsula.

  Centre of the country: the Alytau mountains.

The Government of Kazakhstan has approved the “Wind Power Market Development Initiative Programme through to 2030” which defines the development of wind power as one of the country's priorities.

In December 2006 Kazakhstan and the European Union signed a Memorandum Of Understanding. This MoU outlines plans for future cooperation within a framework of energy projects and, specifically with respect to secure energy and industrial cooperation.

The first Law of Renewable Energies in the Republic of Kazakhstan was approved in June of 2009.  The Law establishes a regulatory framework for renewable energies and has been definitive for the United Nations Development Programme - REEEP (Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership), which establishes that 5 per cent of power in the energy balance of the country must be produced by renewable energies as one of the objectives for the period through to 2024.The Law also applies feed-in-tariffs and renewable energies certificates to encourage investment in the “Green Energies” market.

  Incentives for Investment in Renewable Energies in Kazakhstan.

“Guaranteed purchase for a 20-year period. Purchase rate at 90€ Mwh”

  The State, in virtue of a commitment acquired with the European Union for 2020, offers incentives to investment in wind power in their country, that are notably higher than the EU Community sector average.   

  Electric companies must purchase, at a rate regulated by the government, one hundred percent of the energy fed into the grid, guaranteeing its purchase for a 20-year period.

  The premiums paid are regulated and guaranteed by the State.  A purchase rate of 90€ Mwh has been established, higher than the average paid in other Member States of the European Union.