Kazakhstan invites SCO countries to participate in RES auctions

According to the First Vice Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Murat Zhurebekov, this was done to strengthen practical cooperation in the energy sector. He stated this during a meeting of energy ministers of the SCO member states, El.kz reports.

"Kazakhstan assumed the obligations to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030 as part of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In accordance with the approved concept for the transition of Kazakhstan to a green economy, by 2030 the share of renewable energy sources should reach at least 15% of the total electricity generation, and by 2050 this rate should reach 50%," Murat Zhurebekov said in his welcoming speech.

He spoke about the mechanism of open international auctions for the implementation of renewable energy projects, which has been used in Kazakhstan since 2018, which made it possible to make the process of selecting projects and investors transparent and understandable and to get more efficient technologies and projects. During this period, auctions were held in electronic format with a total capacity of 1700 MW. Over the years, about 200 companies from 12 countries of the world took part in the auction.

"In order to strengthen practical cooperation between all interested parties, we suggest that the SCO states also consider the possibility of participating in renewable energy auctions in Kazakhstan," the head of the Kazakh delegation said.

According to him, achieving carbon neutrality in a number of sectors is also possible through the introduction of a wide range of new technologies, for example, such as carbon capture, use and storage technology. This will make it possible to comprehensively solve the tasks of preventing or minimizing the negative anthropogenic impact on the environment.

"We propose to consider the possibility of cooperation between the SCO countries in this direction as well. This will boost the development of a scientific and technological approach in the energy sector of our countries," Murat Zhurebekov emphasized.

The event was attended by the heads of the energy industry of India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia and Tajikistan. Following the ministerial meeting, the Action Plan for the practical implementation of the Concept of Cooperation of the SCO Member States in the Energy Sector and the draft Program of Cooperation of the SCO Member States in the Use of Renewable Energy Sources were approved.