Kazakh Mazhilis adopts amendments on renewables use

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.