The power system of the Republic of Kazakhstan currently faces several challenges related to the distribution of energy resources, the structure of generation, and the balance between electricity supply and demand. With the growing demand for electricity driven by economic development, the increasing share of renewable energy sources, and the integration of large-scale grids, the construction of a pumped storage power plant (PSPP) has become a necessity.

The PSPP is considered an environmentally friendly, low-carbon, and economically efficient solution for stabilizing the power system. Its construction will enhance the reliability of electricity supply, improve grid balancing, and facilitate the integration of new energy sources.

Thanks to its flexible generation capacity, a PSPP can play a key role in system regulation, working efficiently in combination with large base-load power plants (such as TPP and NPP).

Project objectives:
The main objective of the project is to construct a pumped storage power plant to accumulate electricity, which will help smooth out daily load fluctuations and ensure grid stability in systems with a high share of wind and solar power generation.

Implementation period: 2024–2032

Current status:

• On March 6 of this year, Samruk-Energy JSC and China International Water & Electric Corporation (CIWEC) signed a Cooperation Agreement on the construction of the first pumped storage power plant in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• On June 16 of this year, during the Power Central Asia + China Energy Forum, another Cooperation Agreement was signed between Samruk-Energy JSC and CIWEC.

Project description: The project involves the construction of a flexible power generation facility designed to balance renewable energy sources in the southern zone of Kazakhstan’s Unified Power System. The project also provides for the construction of 500 kV transmission lines “Kyzylorda–Shymkent” and “Kyzylorda–Zhezkazgan”.

• The project is being implemented by Samruk-Energy JSC in cooperation with Urbacon Concessions Investments WLL (UCC) under the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Implementation period: 2024–2029.

Project title:
Construction of a 500 MW wind power plant with a 150 MW / 300 MWh energy storage system in cooperation with China Energy Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter – Energy China) in Karaganda region

Project description
As part of the national strategy for transitioning to a “green” economy and reducing the carbon footprint, and in accordance with the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Governments of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the People’s Republic of China on the implementation of renewable energy projects signed in November 2024, Samruk-Energy JSC, together with Energy China, is implementing an investment project for the construction of a wind power plant (WPP) with an installed capacity of 500 MW and an energy storage system of 150 MW / 300 MWh in Karaganda region.

Project implementation goal
The project aims to increase the generation of electricity from renewable sources, reduce dependence on conventional coal-fired power plants, and ensure the sustainable development of Kazakhstan’s power sector.

Implementation period: 2024–2029

Project advantages:
– Use of state-of-the-art, energy-efficient wind turbines;
– Construction of a substation, transmission lines, and related infrastructure;
– Application of energy storage systems to enhance grid reliability;
– Creation of new jobs during both the construction and operation phases of the WPP.

Expected outcomes:
– Increase in the share of renewable energy in the national energy balance;
– Reduction of environmental emissions;
– Development of regional infrastructure and improvement of the region’s investment attractiveness.

Current status:
• In November 2024, during COP29, the Governments of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the People’s Republic of China signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on the implementation of renewable energy projects.

Project title:
Construction of a 300 MW Solar Power Plant with a 90 MW / 360 MW energy storage system in partnership with China Energy Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter – Energy China) in Sauran district of Turkistan region

Project description:
The project is being implemented as part of Kazakhstan’s national strategy for transitioning to a green economy and reducing its carbon footprint, as well as under the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the implementation of renewable energy projects, signed in November 2024.

Samruk-Energy JSC, in partnership with Energy China, is developing an investment project to construct a solar power plant (SPP) with an installed capacity of 300 MW and an energy storage system of 90 MW / 360 MWh in Turkistan region.

Project objectives:
The project aims to increase the generation of electricity from renewable sources, reduce dependence on conventional coal-fired power plants, and promote the sustainable development of Kazakhstan’s energy sector.

Implementation period: 2024–2027

Project advantages:
– Deployment of advanced, energy-efficient solar panels;
– Construction of a substation, transmission lines, and related infrastructure;
– Integration of energy storage systems to enhance grid reliability;
– Creation of new jobs during both the construction and operation phases.

Expected results:
– Increased share of renewable energy in the national energy mix;
– Reduction of environmental emissions;
– Development of regional infrastructure and enhanced investment attractiveness of the area.

Current status:
– November 2024: Intergovernmental Agreement between the Governments of Kazakhstan and China on the implementation of renewable energy projects signed during COP29;
– June 16, 2025: Power Purchase Agreement signed between  Financial Settlement Center for Renewable Energy Sources LLP and Energy China during the “Central Asia – China” summit;
– September 2, 2025: Investment Agreement and Power Purchase Agreement signed with Sauran Solar Power LLP during the Kazakhstan–China Business Council meeting.

Next steps:
– Signing of the EPC contract.

Project title: Construction of a 100 MW wind power plant with an ESS in Ulytau region in partnership with PetroKazakhstan

Project implementation goal: Decarbonization and reduction of the carbon footprint to achieve the targets of generating 15 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2030, increasing this share to 50 percent by 2050, and attaining carbon neutrality by 2060. Diversification of the energy mix and reduction of dependence on coal-fired generation.

Project description: The project envisions the conclusion of corporate power purchase agreements (B2B contracts). It is planned to deploy state-of-the-art, high-efficiency wind power equipment from leading global manufacturers, including turbines highly adaptable to the region’s climatic conditions and digital monitoring systems for plant operations. The energy storage system will ensure peak load regulation, generation smoothing, and the ability to supply electricity to the grid according to schedule.

Implementation period: 2024–2027

Current status:

A feasibility study is under development. The project is at the design and survey stage. Wind monitoring, geotechnical studies, and the development of the power evacuation scheme are underway. Negotiations with banks and financial institutions on the project’s financing structure and terms are in progress. In parallel, the selection of equipment suppliers and contractors is being considered.

Project title: Construction of a 1 GW wind power plant with an ESS in Zhambyl region in cooperation with Masdar

Project implementation goal: In line with Kazakhstan’s climate objectives, the wind farm in Zhambyl region will contribute to achieving the national targets of generating 15 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, increasing this share to 50 percent by 2050, and reaching carbon neutrality by 2060. This initiative is based on the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to supporting Kazakhstan in the development of its renewable energy sector, as reaffirmed during COP28.

Project description: The project, developed jointly by Masdar, W Solar, Qazaq Green Power PLC, and the Kazakhstan Investment Development Fund (KIDF), is a flagship investment initiative being implemented under the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates on the implementation of the wind power plant project.

Implementation period: 2023–2029

Current status: The project is currently in the design and survey phase, which includes wind monitoring, geotechnical and hydrological studies, and the preparation of land management documentation. At the same time, the company is working on the project’s financial structuring in cooperation with international banks.

Project background: Construction of Semey Hydropower Plant (HPP)

Semey HPP construction project involves the development, construction, and operation of a hydropower facility on the Irtysh River with a total installed capacity of up to 350 MW, located in Abai region of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

This project is of strategic importance for the country, aimed at increasing the regulating capacity of the Upper Irtysh cascade of hydropower plants and creating an additional reservoir that will play a key role in managing the flow of the transboundary Irtysh River.

The construction of Semey HPP has been included in the Development Plan for the Hydropower Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2020–2030, approved by the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sklyar R.V., on September 4, 2020.

In addition, the construction and operation of the plant will contribute to the development of other economic sectors in  Abai Region — including transport, agriculture, and tourism — and will contribute to regional income growth, employment, and budget expansion, while reducing flood risks and greenhouse gas emissions.

Project objectives:

1.The construction of Semey HPP as a counter-regulator of Shulbinsk HPP will enable the full utilization of Shulbinsk HPP’s design potential.

2.Increase the regulating capacity of Shulbinsk HPP to 500 MW.

3.Create an additional freshwater reservoir on the transboundary Irtysh River.

4.Smooth out irregular discharges from Shulbinsk HPP to prevent flooding in Semey city.

Project implementation period: 2023–2031

The project is being implemented under the Agreement on Establishing a Long-Term Strategic Partnership for the Development of Projects in Priority Sectors, signed on March 20, 2024, between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the State of Qatar.

Project title:Construction of a 1 GW wind power plant with an energy storage system in Pavlodar region in cooperation with CPIH

Project implementation goal: The project aims to support decarbonization and reduce the carbon footprint in line with Kazakhstan’s national targets of achieving 15 percent of electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 2030, increasing this share to 50 percent by 2050, and attaining carbon neutrality by 2060. It also seeks to diversify the country’s energy mix and reduce dependence on coal-fired generation.

Project description:The project is being implemented under the Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the People’s Republic of China on the implementation of renewable energy projects. It envisages the use of advanced, high-efficiency wind power technologies from leading global manufacturers, including turbines designed to withstand local climatic conditions and equipped with digital monitoring systems. The integrated energy storage system will provide peak load management, generation smoothing, and the ability to deliver electricity to the grid according to a scheduled dispatch plan.

Implementation period: 2023–2028

Current status: The project is currently in the design and survey phase, which includes wind monitoring and the preparation of the grid connection scheme. At the same time, negotiations with banks and financial institutions are ongoing to define the project’s financing structure and terms, and the selection of equipment suppliers and construction contractors is underway.

Название проекта: «Строительство СЭС мощностью 1 ГВт совместно с Tumar Commerce в Туркестанской, Кызылординской и Жамбылской областях»

Цель реализации проекта: Декарбонизация и снижение углеродного следа, в целях достижения цели по получению 15 процентов энергии из возобновляемых источников к 2030 году, увеличению этого показателя до 50 процентов к 2050 году и достижению углеродной нейтральности к 2060 году. Диверсификация энергетического баланса и снижение зависимости от угольной генерации.

Описание проекта: Проект ориентирован на привлечение прямых инвестиций, создание новых рабочих мест, переход предприятий Фонда на экологически чистые источники энергии в операционной деятельности, а также на достижение ESG-ориентированных целей и выполнение национальных задач по декарбонизации.

Сроки реализации: 2023-2028гг.

Текущий статус: На данный момент выполняются проектно-изыскательские исследования. Также продолжаются переговоры с банками и финансовыми организациями о структуре и условиях финансирования проекта. Параллельно прорабатываются вопросы по выбору поставщиков оборудования и подрядных организаций.

Project title:
Construction of a 1 GW wind power plant with a 300 MW / 600 MWh energy storage system in Moiynkum district of Zhambyl region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, implemented in partnership with TotalEnergies Renewables S.A.S (hereinafter – Total) and KMG Green Energy LLP

Project description:
As part of the national strategy for transitioning to a “green” economy and reducing the carbon footprint, and in accordance with the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the French Republic on Cooperation in Combating Global Warming signed in November 2022, an investment project is being implemented jointly with Total to construct a 1 GW wind power plant with a 300 MW / 600 MWh energy storage system in Zhambyl region.

Project implementation goal:
The project aims to reduce the negative environmental impact by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy in the national power system. The initiative aligns with Kazakhstan’s priorities for transitioning to a green economy and with its international environmental commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Implementation period: 2021–2028

Project advantages:
– Deployment of advanced and energy-efficient technologies;
– Construction of a substation, transmission lines, and related infrastructure;
– Use of an energy storage system to enhance the reliability of the power grid;
– Creation of new jobs during both the construction and operation phases.

Expected outcomes:
– Increased share of renewable energy in the national energy mix;
– Reduction of emissions and environmental impact;
– Development of regional infrastructure and enhancement of the region’s investment attractiveness.

Current status:
– On November 30, 2022, an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the French Republic on Cooperation in Combating Global Warming was signed;
– On December 2, 2023, during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), an Investment Agreement was signed in the presence of the Heads of State;
– Project design and cost estimation documentation is currently being developed.