In Kazakhstan, fossil fuels dominate electricity consumption, with more than 84% of electricity generated from these sources. Coal alone accounts for more than half of the electricity consumption, while gas contributes nearly a third. Low-carbon sources, on the other hand, make up nearly 15% of the total consumption. Hydropower takes the lead among low-carbon sources at more than 9%, followed by wind at more than 3%, and solar at close to 2%. These figures highlight a substantial reliance on fossil fuels, but also show an emerging presence of low-carbon technologies like wind and solar. There is a small fraction from net imports and oil, with each making up less than 2% of the total consumption, indicating the potential for growth in local low-carbon electricity sources.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, Energy Institute and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Kazakhstan?
Electricity consumption per capita in Kazakhstan has seen a decrease compared to historical records. The current consumption stands at 5802 kWh per person, which is almost as high as the historical peak of 6105 kWh per person back in 1990. This represents a decline of 303 kWh per person. However, the presence of clean electricity is growing. The most recent data shows that low-carbon electricity generation per person rose to 855 kWh, marking an increase of 147 kWh compared to the previous high just last year. Although overall electricity consumption needs to catch up with past levels, low-carbon electricity seems to be on a promising upward trend, reflecting significant progress in Kazakhstan's efforts to diversify its energy mix.
Suggestions
To escalate the growth of low-carbon electricity generation, Kazakhstan should look to successful regions that have advanced solar and nuclear contributions toward their electricity generation mix. Countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy constitutes a significant majority of the electricity generation, offer exemplary models of efficient nuclear adoption. Kazakhstan could similarly boost the share of nuclear energy for a cleaner, more sustainable future. On the solar front, California and Nevada present successful cases with substantial solar electricity generation, showing that solar energy can be harnessed effectively even in less sunny climates. By following such examples, Kazakhstan can enhance its low-carbon electricity production while ensuring energy security and reducing its carbon footprint.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Kazakhstan has seen varying developments over the decades. In the late 1980s, hydropower experienced a moderate increase, while the mid-1990s brought declines, reflecting the volatility of this period. The turn of the millennium saw recoveries in hydropower generation as it improved in fits and starts up to 2010. The following decade saw diverse growth spurts, notably in 2016 when hydropower again saw significant expansion. Recent years have marked a noticeable shift towards wind and solar technologies. In 2020, solar energy began making an inroad into electricity generation, followed by increases in wind energy in the succeeding years, signifying a push towards modern, clean technologies. The year 2024 marked a milestone, showing promising growth in both hydro and wind power, signaling Kazakhstan's commitment to increasing its use of low-carbon energy sources.
