Friday, February 08, 2013

Renewable energy in Kazakhstan, Caroline Schenck


            One might consider it ironic that, in addition to the dangers of extracting non renewable energy sources (such as crude oil and natural gas), these energy sources must be consumed (during their delivery via boat) to deliver them to the place of consumption. Consider oil that is harvested in the Middle East and shipped cross Atlantic to the United States. Globally people are switching from nonrenewable energy sources to renewable sources such as wind power, hydro power and solar power. The major benefit being that these are renewable energy sources but also they can be produced domestically.
            Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, but they’re making big moves toward clean energy sources compared to larger countries. By 2020 Kazakhstan will have built thirteen wind farms, fifteen small hydro, and four solar power stations.  The Deputy Kazakh Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry and New Technologies, Asset Issekshev stated that in the near future Kazakhstan plans to generate more megawatts from renewable sources. Asset Issekeshev was explained that “We have implemented around twenty-five projects over the past two years with twelve more projects to be commissioned this year. The total capacity of the renewable energy sources will reach 1000 watts. In 2020, the share of the green energy will reach around thirteen percent of the total amount of electricity produced.”
            At this moment some regions of Kazakhstan have already implemented the development of alternative energy. Astana and the Akmola region have five small hydro power stations in operation on the mountain rivers near the city of Almaty. Also the energy company Samruk-Energo will start consctruction of the Yereimentau wind farm in the northern Akmola region. This energy will be even be used to power the Expo 2017 international exhibition on “green energy” These projects will appear in the Aktobe, Pavlodar, Mangistau and Kostanal regions of Kazakhstan.

Caroline Schenck
February 8, 2012
1:50 p.m.

Source:
Caspionet.kz, Khabar Agency. Web
February 6, 2012. Acessed February 8, 2013

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