Is solar energy a viable energy source in Kazakhstan?

In 2019, another solar power plant in Kazakhstan, Saran, with a capacity of 100 MW started its operation in the Karaganda region (Satubaldina, 2020). According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), within the period of 40 years, solar energy has a potential to meet about 20-25% of the energy demand of the country.

Is Kazakhstan a good place to install solar power plants?

At least 50% of the territory of Kazakhstan is suitable for installing solar power plants (Antonov, 2014). However, up until recently, solar resources of the country were not being used for power generation. Kazakhstan is developing solar energy technologies, namely production of photovoltaic modules using local silicon.

How much solar energy does Kazakhstan use a year?

Solar energy can be widely used in two-thirds of the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In the southern regions, the duration of solar radiation is from 2,800 to 3,000 hours per year, and the annual consumption of solar energy is from 1,280 to 1,870 kWh per 1 m2.

How many solar power plants will Kazakhstan have in 2020?

According to the Strategic development plan of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Concept of transition to a “green economy” it is planned to put into operation about 28 solar power plants by the end of 2020. Biomass

What is the energy potential of Kazakhstan?

The wind potential of Kazakhstan is 1.8trn kWh per year, close to 10 times Kazakhstan’s current energy consumption, according to UN estimates. Solar also has great potential given the number of sunny hours per year - typically between 2,200 and 3,000 - implying a capacity of 1,300-1,800kW/sqm per year. Hydro Power

How many power plants are there in Kazakhstan?

Up to the present moment, the country has 72 active renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 634 MW – 200.25 MW hydroelectric power plants, 249 MW solar power stations, 183.25 MW wind power stations and 1.65 MW biogas facility. Overall, power plants of Kazakhstan in January 2019 produced 9 944.4 million kWh of electricity.