The Mazhilis, a Lower House of
the Kazakh Parliament, has adopted a law on supporting the use of renewable
energy sources. The country’s net consumers, including small and medium-sized
businesses, agricultural households, and private housings, are exempt from
paying for electricity transmission services. The law introduces the concept of
‘small-scale renewable energy facilities.’ These are alternative power plants
with a capacity of no more than 200 megawatts. Previously, the installed
capacity amounted to nearly 100 megawatts. The amendment allows retail
consumers to use small-scale renewable energy sources for their needs. Kazakh
residents will also be able to sell their surplus electricity, and energy
supply organizations will prioritize buying from hydro power plants. Net
consumers can freely connect to the general power grid as well. The document
establishes the obligation for parties to conclude a standard contract. Thus,
the document both protects the interests of the population and creates
conditions for the application of green technologies.
“The amendments are aimed at prioritizing
energy supply organizations to procure electricity from hydroelectric power plants
with a total capacity of no more than 10 megawatts commissioned before July 1,
2023. It also involves expanding the investment agreements for the
modernization and reconstruction of generating units using gas as an
alternative fuel type, which includes investments in district heating
facilities and commissioning works. Additionally, the principles of state
regulation in the field of supporting the use of renewable energy sources are
set to be established,” said Baurzhan Smagulov, member of the Mazhilis, the Lower
House of the Kazakh Parliament.
