A new 60 MW wind power plant, which is being built 140 km away from Almaty city, is planned to be put into operation by early August this year. The plant will produce 225,7 mln.kWh of electricity annually. Besides its production characteristics, the project is essential for the region from the perspective of its environmental component. The construction and launch of the wind power plant will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 206 thousand tons and will also replace about 89 thousand tons of reference fuel per year.
The energy facility is being constructed in the Enbekshikazakh district of Almaty region in the so-called Shelek corridor - a unique region for the development of renewable energy capacity, where the average annual wind speed at a height of 50 meters is 7,8 m/s, the flux density is 310 W/m2. The WPP capacity is planned to be increased up to 300 MW in the future.
The project is worth 37,4 bn. tenge and it involves the construction of 24 wind turbines, each with a nominal capacity of 2,5 MW, substations, overhead power lines, and related infrastructure. The main equipment of the plant is manufactured by GoldWind. Kazakhstani power holding company “Samruk-Energy” JSC is implementing the project in partnership with the Chinese corporation “Power China”.
According to Samruk-Energy experts, despite the energy capacities operating in Almaty city and Almaty region such as Almaty CHP, Kapshagay, and Almaty Cascade of HPPs, Zhambyl GRES, as well as Issyk, Moynak, Kataral, Taldykorgan HPPs, the region experiences power shortages and does not have sufficient own fuel resources. Due to scarce generating capacities, own energy sources cover the region's demand for electricity only by 50%. External energy producers (from the northern regions of the republic, Zhambyl GRES, and Kyrgyzstan) compensate for the energy shortfall. These factors, as well as the presence in the region of a good resource base of renewable energy sources, served as the basis for the implementation of “Samruk-Energy” project for the construction of a 60 MW wind power plant in the Shelek corridor.
To date, 5 renewable energy facilities operate at “Samruk-Energy” JSC. Their total electricity output in 2021 was 325,3 mln. kWh. This is 7,7% of electricity generated by all renewable energy facilities in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The company strongly supports the initiative on the development of renewable energy sources. As part of the concept of Kazakhstan's transition to a "green economy", the Power holding company strives to increase the share of electricity generation from renewable energy sources, which are already active participants in the electricity market.
By this time, in addition to the WPP in the Almaty region, Samruk-Energy is implementing a project for the construction of a 50 MW WPP in the vicinity of Ereymentau city, Akmola region.
“Samruk-Energy” JSC is the largest power holding company in Kazakhstan, 100% owned by “Samruk-Kazyna” SWF” JSC. It was established in 2007. Key business lines are electricity and heat production; transmission, distribution and sale of electricity, power coal mining. The Company was established in 2007, “Samruk-Kazyna” SWF” JSC holds 100% of shares. The holding company comprises energy and coal enterprises, including “Ekibastuz SDPP-1” LLP, “Ekibastuz SDPP-2 Plant” JSC, “Bogatyr Komir” LLP, “Almaty Power Plants” JSC, “Moynak HPP” JSC, “Shardarinsk HPP” JSC, etc.