The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Kazakhstan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the country’s transition away from coal through the bank’s Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) program.
Kazakhstan, with 25 billion tonnes of coal reserves, ranks eighth globally in coal production. The resource plays a key role in the country’s electricity generation but also contributes significantly to its greenhouse gas emissions.
The partnership will focus on a pilot project aimed at reducing emissions by either decommissioning or repurposing a coal plant for renewable energy or other low-carbon technologies. A feasibility study will be conducted to assess the best options for early retirement. The study will evaluate various types of coal-fired plants, including power generation plants, combined heat and power plants, and heat-only boilers, identified in previous analyses.
Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister, Almassadam Satkaliyev, expressed hope that the program would demonstrate the viability of new technologies and inspire similar shifts at other plants and regions. “I hope this program will showcase the technological shift and reliability of new systems through ETM, which can then be replicated elsewhere,” he said.
The ADB and Kazakhstan will also assess the potential impact of decommissioning or repurposing coal plants on the nation’s power and heat supply. In addition, the project will focus on expanding Kazakhstan’s renewable energy capacity and promoting regional energy trade.
The collaboration will include joint studies, capacity-building efforts, consultations, and the sharing of best practices.
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