OREANDA-NEWS. February 14, 2011. United Nations Development Programme in Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan Electricity Association signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Kazakhstan. The Parties’ joint efforts aim to transfer the outcomes of the UNDP Wind Energy Project and facilitate sustainable operations of the Association’s RES Committee.

"The project we are here to recognize and reaffirm today was conducted over 12 years, by the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility, as support for the planning of the Government of Kazakhstan.The project has

supported the development of the regulatory and legal framework for renewable, and associated government policies.  We have, through this project, assessed wind capacity in 15 promising sites in Kazakhstan. The first Wind Atlas of Kazakhstan was developed, and pre-feasibility studies were carried out to serve as the basis for investments in the wind energy. Further, the project set out to help establish the country’s first operating wind-power stations. This has been done in partnership with Karaganda Oblast Akimat, SamrukEnergo JSC, and some private companies. At present, several companies are developing wind farms, and upon completion, their total installed capacity would be wind 500 megawatts. This joint project of the Government of Kazakhstan, UNDP, and Global Environment Facility (“Kazakhstan – wind power market development initiative”) is coming to its end. In order to support further development of wind power and renewable energy in Kazakhstan, by national and local efforts, we are here today for the formal sharing of all of the project’s outcomes with the Kazakhstan Electricity Association", - said Stephen Tull, UNDP Resident Representative/UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan.

The RES Committee was set up within Kazakhstan Electricity Association to develop renewable energy sources and will continue alternative energy initiatives launched by UNDP. "This meets the interests of consumers and the economy. Kazakhstan has a huge wind potential, which should be used to diversify electric power generation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of Kyoto Protocol commitments of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Key objectives of the Association are to participate in the development of the regulatory framework and to support RES projects of different scale in Kazakhstan", - stated Chairman of Kazakhstan Electricity Association Almasadam Satkaliyev.

Project Summary:

UNDP/GEF project ‘Kazakhstan - Wind Power Market Development Initiative’ (2004-2011) assists the Government of Kazakhstan represented by the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies in implementing greenhouse gas emission cuts in Kazakhstan through development of wind energy. Research on Kazakhstan’s wind energy potential resulted in the preparation of wind farm project proposals for Almaty, Akmola, Mangystau, Atyrau, Zhambyl and Karaganda Oblasts. The National Wind Power Development Programme was drafted and assistance was also provided in drafting the Law Supporting the Use of Renewable Energy Sources.