Kazakhstan increases electricity generation from renewable sources

Electricity generation from renewable energy sources is increasing in Kazakhstan, reported the country's Energy Ministry.

The country has produced 462 million kilowatt hours of electricity from renewable energy sources in the first nine months of 2015.

Solar power plants have produced 32.4 million kilowatt hours of electricity. The volume of electricity generated at Kapchagay solar power plant reached 2.7 million kilowatt hours, while the Otar plant produced 0.8 million kilowatt hours during the reporting period.

Burnoe solar power plant commissioned in early July has generated 26.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity in two quarters of 2015.

The Energy Ministry said that Kazakhstan has favorable natural conditions for developing the solar energy sphere.

“Experts estimate that Kazakhstan has 2,200-3,000 hours of sunshine per year, while the annual solar radiation energy is 1,300-1,800 kilowatt hours per square meter in the central and southern regions of the country and 1,000-1,500 kilowatt hours per square meter in northern and western regions, which creates quite favorable conditions for development of solar energy," said the ministry.

In general, as part of the concept for transition of Kazakhstan to “green economy", the volume of electricity generated from renewable energy sources is planned to reach 3 percent of the total volume of electricity by 2020 and 10 percent by 2030.

Source: trend.az