BAKU, June 2 — Kazakhstan is poised to more than double its renewable energy capacity over the next decade as part of a comprehensive strategy to balance low-carbon development with its traditional role as a Eurasian oil transit hub. Speaking at a plenary session during Baku Energy Week, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov announced that the nation plans to commission 8.4 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2035.
The move aligns with Kazakhstan’s Low-Carbon Development Concept, which seeks to modernize the country's energy sector and curb emissions. Currently, renewables account for approximately 7% of Kazakhstan’s electricity generation, with 169 operational facilities providing a combined installed capacity of 3.7 GW. The aggressive expansion plan has already drawn significant capital, with major international players from China, the United Arab Emirates, France, and Germany participating in ongoing projects across the country.
While accelerating green energy deployment, Kazakhstan is simultaneously securing and diversifying its fossil fuel export routes. Akkenzhenov stressed the strategic significance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, framing it as a critical component of Eurasian energy security. The government plans to increase annual oil shipments through the BTC corridor from 1.5 million tons to 2.2 million tons.
However, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) will remain the country’s primary export artery, having transported 64.8 million tons of oil in 2025. Beyond traditional renewables, the government is exploring next-generation green technologies. Akkenzhenov highlighted the Caspian Green Energy Corridor—a trilateral initiative with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan designed to export clean electricity to European markets. Additionally, Kazakhstan is advancing clean coal technologies and green hydrogen initiatives, notably the Hyrasia One project in the Mangystau Region.
Capacity Expansion: Target of 8.4 GW in renewable capacity by 2035, representing a more than 100% increase from the current 3.7 GW baseline.
Foreign Direct Investment: Active participation and ongoing project development by major energy firms from China, the UAE, France, and Germany.
Logistics & Diversification: Strategic pivot to increase oil shipment volumes via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) route to 2.2 million tons annually, mitigating transit risks while relying on the CPC (64.8M tons in 2025) as the primary corridor.
Export Markets: Development of the Caspian Green Energy Corridor positions Kazakhstan to become a direct supplier of clean energy to high-demand European markets.
Emerging Technologies: Active footprint in the green hydrogen space (Hyrasia One) provides early-mover advantages in alternative fuel scaling.
Resource: https://astanatimes.com/2026/06/kazakhstan-targets-8-4-gw-of-new-renewable-energy-capacity-by-2035/