Why is Hydropower Becoming Central to Kazakhstan’s Clean Energy Strategy?

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s renewable energy strategy is entering a new phase. From renewable expansion to system stabilityKazakhstan’s renewable energy policy has produced measurable progress. Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov has reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s broader objective of commissioning 8.4 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2035 as part of the country’s low-carbon development strategy at the Baku Energy Week this June. As Ainur Sospanova, chairwoman of the Qazaq Green Renewable Energy Association, previously told The Astana Times, the rapid deployment of renewable energy is beginning to expose weaknesses within Kazakhstan’s electricity system. Hydropower projects typically require years of environmental assessments, hydrological studies, engineering work and financing negotiations before construction begins.