IGTIC took part in an interactive EU seminar on the development of the renewable energy sector in Central Asia
The seminar was organized by the EU Project "European Union – Central Asia: Cooperation in the field of water resources, environment and climate change (WECOOP)" in order to exchange the experience of the EU, its member States and IFIs in the implementation of small and medium-sized projects focused on the generation of solar and wind energy.
The seminar was attended by more than 50 representatives from the European Union (EU), international financial institutions (IFIs), as well as experts from Central Asia (CA). Director of the Department of International Cooperation Aidar Yessembayev and Chief Expert of the Department of Climate Change – Adambek Nurzhan took part in the discussion platform from IGTIC.
"In order to become the first climate–neutral continent by 2050, as stipulated by the European Green Course - our new growth strategy, the EU undertakes to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This requires an even greater share of renewable energy sources and greater energy efficiency", - said Johannes Stenbaek Madsen, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Kazakhstan.
According to him, in 2021, the European Commission submitted a revised Directive on Renewable Energy sources and proposed to increase the mandatory target for the share of renewable energy in the EU energy balance to 40% by 2030.
"We are glad that all the Central Asian countries are also making efforts to expand the use of renewable energy. We believe that further development of the sector can help meet the growing demand for energy, strengthen the energy sustainability of the region, fulfill the obligations under the Paris Agreement and create new jobs and business opportunities", - added Johannes Stenbaek Madsen.
The vision of the development of the renewable energy industry in Kazakhstan, based on the results of group discussions, was presented by the Director of the IGTIC International Cooperation Department, Aidar Yessembayev. Thus, according to him, a lot of attention is paid to the development of renewable energy in Kazakhstan, at the same time, strategic planning for the development of this industry is not sufficiently developed.
"It is necessary to ensure the coordination of renewable energy policies at all levels, with an increase in the participation of civil society and private entrepreneurship in this process. In addition, the state needs to work out additional measures that will be aimed at the development of renewable energy and coordination of all actions in this direction", - Aidar Yessembayev added.
At the same time, participating experts from the EU and IFIs, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), presented their experience in implementing renewable energy projects and discussed investment opportunities available to the countries of the region.
The participants also reviewed specific projects implemented in Central Europe, the Baltic States and Central Asia.