It happened! The energy of the sun and wind has become so real for us that it was decided to introduce a Renewable Energy Worker day in Kazakhstan! Although this day is still undergoing official approval procedures, we recommend starting to celebrate it. Thus, we will prove that it is crucial for us to quickly switch the country’s energy system to alternative energy sources. Also, we would like to express our gratitude to those who already work in this field!
Kapenov Nurlan Nurgalievich, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Solar PowerAssociation of Kazakhstan (SPAQ):
"Stimulating renewable energy sources is an important part of sustainable development not only for economic instruments but also for encouraging employees of the entire sector. As you may know, "everything depends on employees," and the renewable energy sector has no exception too. Today, there are more than 1000 specialists who work in this field (power engineers, engineers, builders, economists, government employees, investors, scientists, and analysts). Their hard work enabled an entirely new economic sector to appear in the country in a short period. Renewable energy is generated by more than 100 renewable energy facilities now."
Photo: Shahrukh Abubakirov
In this regard, SPAQ put forward an initiative to include the "Renewable Energy Worker Day - July 4" in the holiday list of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The 4th of July as the day of RES Workers was not chosen randomly. The law of Kazakhstan "On Support, the Use of Renewable Energy Sources," was adopted on the 4th of July 2009. It is the day when the progressive development of the renewable energy sector has begun in our country.
The day of Renewable Energy Worker in Kazakhstan is an indicator of the country's struggle for a clean environment, a driver for the transformation of the electricity sector, and a symbol of maintaining a healthy nation and sustainable economic development.
Sospanova Ainur Saparbekovna, Director of the Department of Renewable Energy Sources of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
"The renewable energy sector is one of Kazakhstan's most dynamic industries now. At the end of 2019, the total renewable energy generation in the country amounted to 2.4 billion kWh. There are currently 101 existing renewable energy facilities with a capacity of 1414 MW in Kazakhstan.
If in 2009, the renewable energy sector was represented only by a few enthusiasts interested in a green economy, today, thousands of people are working in this sector, popularizing renewable energy sources, and trying to improve renewable energy legislation.
Renewable energy takes a separate department in the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The relevance of the issue is justified by the increased number of seminars, conferences, summits held by various structures (Association, KEA, IGTIC, AEOK, AREK, etc.)."
Photo: Nurzhan Ayazbayev
Kazakhstan has international financial institutions interested in financing renewable energy projects (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Asian Development Bank, Eurasian Development Bank, Clean Technology Fund, Green Climate Fund, etc.). Moreover, they already have both implemented and ongoing projects in their portfolios. The topic of "green financing" is a separate unit of AIFC "Astana".
Also, in Kazakhstan, oil and gas companies, such as Shell, Total, and Eni, which already have the RES investment projects in their portfolio, are actively involved in the development of renewable energy.
Celebrating Renewable Energy Worker Day as a professional holiday will motivate the business community to contribute to its development. It implies high appreciation from the state, recognition of the profession's importance and prestige, as well as the need for the further professional development of RES specialists. It may result in the overall development of renewable energy in Kazakhstan within the approved "Concept for the transition of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the" Green Economy ".
Photo: Nurzhan Ayazbayev
The development of renewable energy in Kazakhstan depends on several factors. The most important ones are economic stability and reduction of risks for renewable energy investors, technical aspects of the energy system and the integration of renewable energy into the network. Another critical factor is the awareness of the population about the possibilities of using renewable energy sources.
Also, the RES sector targets include generating 3% of the total electricity generation in the Republic of Kazakhstan by 2020, 10% by 2030 and 50% by 2050.
In this regard, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan supports the initiative introduced by the Kazakhstan Solar Energy Association to include July 4 as the "Renewable Energy Worker day" in the list of official professional holidays.
Abdulla Ushurov, founder of Telcomsystems-A LLP, under the Elcomtel trademark:
“We are on the verge of an energy revolution. It is great that Kazakhstan happens to be in the top 30 countries that introduce renewable energy sources. It is breathtaking that the “green technology” in this oil-producing country develops very rapidly.
When I started this business, I had high doubts that the "green" sector in our oil-producing country could receive state support. Our company began its journey as a system integrator. But they have entirely refocused on solar energy, by 100%, since 2016. (We are one of the first who promotes solar power plants for business and home. These systems operate at a green tariff (NETTO consumer in Kazakhstan)).
This holiday is the most significant sign showing that we have formed a community whose participants promote renewable energy in Kazakhstan and create a new "green" businesscommunity."
Photo: Nurzhan Ayazbayev
Photos: Nurzhan Ayazbayev, Shahrukh Abubakirov
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Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Aral Sea Basin
