How many solar power plants are there in Kazakhstan?

Solar Power: The potential of solar energy in Kazakhstan is estimated at 2.5 billion kWh per year. Solar energy can be widely used in two-thirds of Kazakhstan’s territory. The government aimed to put 28 solar power plants into operation by the end of 2021, and met this goal, with currently 51 solar power plants in operation.

Is solar energy a viable energy source in Kazakhstan?

In 2019, another solar power plant in Kazakhstan, Saran, with a capacity of 100 MW started its operation in the Karaganda region (Satubaldina, 2020). According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), within the period of 40 years, solar energy has a potential to meet about 20-25% of the energy demand of the country.

What is Kazakhstan's First Solar power plant?

The plant is to produce solar cells using Kazakhstan’s silicon. The designed capacity of photovoltaic wafers is 50 MW with a potential to increase up to 100 MW. In 2012, the first solar power station, “Otar,” that generates 0.5 MW of energy, was also built in the Zhambyl region.

How much solar energy does Kazakhstan use a year?

In the southern regions of Kazakhstan, the annual consumption of solar energy is from 1,280 to 1,870 kWh per 1 m2 for each square meter. Solar energy can be widely used in two-thirds of the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with a total duration of solar radiation ranging from 2,800 to 3,000 hours per year.

Is Kazakhstan a good place to install solar power plants?

At least 50% of the territory of Kazakhstan is suitable for installing solar power plants (Antonov, 2014). However, up until recently, solar resources of the country were not being used for power generation. Kazakhstan is developing solar energy technologies, namely production of photovoltaic modules using local silicon.

What is the energy potential of Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan has significant potential for renewable energy. The wind potential is estimated to be 1.8trn kWh per year, which is close to 10 times Kazakhstan’s current energy consumption, according to UN estimates. Solar energy also has great potential given the number of sunny hours per year, typically between 2,200 and 3,000 hours, implying a capacity of 1,300-1,800kW/sqm per year. Hydro power is another renewable energy source with potential in Kazakhstan.