Currently, Kazakhstan's electricity consumption is largely dependent on fossil energy sources, which account for more than 80% of the total consumption. More than half of the electricity is generated from coal, while almost a third comes from gas. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources like hydropower, wind, and solar make up just about 15% of electricity consumption. Among these, hydropower is the most significant contributor, generating nearly two-thirds of the clean electricity. Wind energy contributes a modest 4%, and solar energy adds slightly less than 2%. This reliance on fossil sources poses environmental challenges, with implications for both climate change and air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, Energy Institute and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Kazakhstan?
Despite these concerns, there is evidence of a positive trend towards low-carbon electricity. In 2024, Kazakhstan's electricity consumption stood at 5802 kWh per person, which, while slightly lower than the historical high of 6105 kWh per person in 1990, is a testament to a largely stable demand. More promising is the growth in low-carbon electricity, which reached a record 855 kWh per person in 2024, up 147 kWh per person from the previous year. This increase highlights a growing commitment to clean energy, although more efforts are needed to reduce the heavy reliance on fossil fuels.
Suggestions
To further boost low-carbon electricity, Kazakhstan can look to other successful regions to inform its strategy. Countries like France and Slovakia demonstrate the significant potential of nuclear energy, generating more than half of their electricity from nuclear power. Similarly, Denmark and Iowa have been successful in leveraging wind energy, with impressive shares of their electricity coming from this clean source. Moreover, the transition to solar power could be accelerated by looking to examples from regions like Nevada, where solar electricity accounts for about a third of the total generation. By learning from these examples, Kazakhstan can formulate a cohesive strategy to amplify its nuclear and solar capacities, thus setting a greener course for sustainable energy development.
History
Historically, Kazakhstan's journey in low-carbon electricity presents a mixed picture. In the late 1980s and mid-1990s, hydropower experienced a series of growths, followed by sporadic declines. The beginning of the 21st century marked some recoveries in hydroelectric capacity, peaking with moderate gains in 2000 and several small advances in the following years. The pattern of ups and downs continued well into the 2010s, with significant recent gains noted in hydroelectricity in 2024. Additionally, Kazakhstan made strides by incorporating wind and solar power starting in 2020, with wind energy seeing consistent growth recently. While these developments in clean electricity are encouraging, consistent and robust efforts are crucial for a comprehensive transition towards more sustainable energy sources.
