The project to construct the 50 MW photovoltaic plant is being implemented by a joint Italian-Kazakh venture, Arm Wind LLP and with the support of Kazakh Invest national company.
Alex Stilovato, Managing Director of Arm Wind LLP, said:
- In the Turkestan region, we are starting a new project - the construction of a solar power plant
- The presence of a large number of sunny days in the Otrar region will allow us to produce a sufficient amount of electricity here
- We fully support the policy of Kazakhstan on the transition to renewable energy sources
The equipment will be connected to the local grid via a new overhead power line with a length of around 7 km.
Once launched, the plant will generate:
- 90 million kWh of electricity per year
- it will cover 2 % of the electricity deficit in the Turkestan region
The volume of investments in the region as part of the construction of the solar farm will reportedly exceed $27.9 million, and about 200 new jobs will be created.
The project is also expected to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 1.2 million tons of CO2 equivalent over the plant’s lifetime.
Officials from Eni believe this will contribute to the decarbonization of the power sector of Kazakhstan and support the country’s ambitious goal to generate 50 % of its electricity from renewables by 2050.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, which went into effect in 2009, Kazakhstan vowed to reduce its carbon emissions by 15 % by 2020 and up to 30 % by 2050.
The country is committed to switching to a green economy, despite vast fossil fuel reserves, and is determined to generate 10 % of its electricity from renewables by 2030; and at least half by mid-century.
According to data compiled by the country’s energy ministry, Kazakhstan produced:
- 108 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in 2020
- of which 3.24 billion were generated from renewables
- by late 2020, the installed capacity of clean energy facilities amounted to 1,635 MW
Author: Azamat Batyrov
