In the present day, a lot of countries are faced with the requirement to provide source diversity and to consider environmental sustainability. Kazakhstan, with this perspective, has placed its investments in renewable energy in order to secure its energy supply to reduce greenhouse gasses as one of its strategic aims.
The region Kızılorda is prominent in terms of energy potential, because of its geographical and climate features. Especially its large open fields, high sunshine duration, and convenient wind conditions make the region provide hospitable conditions for wind and solar energy investments. China’s leading energy firms’ investments in the region not only diversify energy production but also help regional development and environmental improvement.
The Lake Aral, the large body of water positioned northwest of Middle Asia and between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, is known as the 4. Greatest lake in the world. The lake, with its approximately 67.000 km² area, has been an important place for biodiversity up until the 1960s and the center of important socioeconomic activities like fishing and watering. With the redirection of the two most important rivers feeding the lake, Amu Derya and Siri Derya in the period of the USSR for little-scale farming projects, the water level of the lake started dropping in time.[1]
Kazakhstan is providing strategic priority to renewable energy sources to achieve carbon-neutral goals and support environmental improvement. Especially in areas like the Lake Aral basin, which are areas that experience a high volume of environmental destruction, the aim is to both support economic development and achieve environmental rehabilitation with renewable energy projects. In this light, through the use of solar and wind power plants, the aim is to increase the region’s energy production capability, provide new employment opportunities, and modernize the infrastructure.
In recent years, many important investments have been taking place in the Kazakhstan, Kızılorda region. In January 2025, the Kazakhstan Ministry of Water Sources announced that, because of the conservation plan the country put into action, there has been a %42 increase in water volume in Lake Aral’s North section, within the Kazakhstan territory.[2]
Besides this, the solar power plant Project that Chinese energy giant China Huadian Cooperation commenced in the Şieli district is also noteworthy. Within the scope of this Project, a 40 (Megawatt) MW capacity solar power plant is being built near the Kosuyenki village, belonging to the Yenbekşi rural region. This project, which will cost approximately 11,5 billion Tenge, in addition to providing over 100 local people with employment also aims to provide 10 permanent employment positions. This project aims to reduce 50.000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
Another big investment in the region is the 50 MW capacity wind power plant project that is conducted by the Uranus Wind LLP cooperation in the Aral Sea Region. The investment cost of this project is estimated at 17 billion tenge and stands out as the biggest wind energy venture in the region. It is stated that within the framework of the project, approximately 200 workers will work in the construction process, and when the plant is functional 12 people will be provided with permanent employment. In addition, it aims to strengthen the human resources in the region by providing local experts with further education abroad within the scope of the project. [3]
The renewable energy investments in the region are not limited to just solar and wind energy. The Turkish energy company Aksa Energy also realizing a 215 billion solar thermal power plant in the center of the region and BI Group’s 30 MW capacity solar power plant project in Aral also strengthens the scope of the strategy of energy diversification in the region.[4]
China, within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, aims to increase its economic influence in Central Asia and lead the energy transformation in the region by exporting its own renewable energy technologies. The Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) has developed a water-saving integrated irrigation system for cotton farming in the Aral Sea region as part of this initiative and established a 25-hectare technology demonstration area. The technology has been implemented across 200 hectares, and this system has proven twice as effective in terms of yield and water conservation compared to local cotton fields. [5]
Joint projects initiated around the Aral Sea not only increase energy production but also allow Kazakhstan to strengthen its international energy cooperation and support its green development vision with concrete steps.
In conclusion, renewable energy projects carried out with the participation of Chinese companies in Kazakhstan’s Kızılorda region are making significant contributions to the economic and environmental development of the region. Thanks to these investments, the region’s energy infrastructure is strengthening, employment opportunities are increasing, and environmental sustainability is being ensured. Additionally, China’s active presence in the region is a concrete indicator of Kazakhstan’s strategy to form international partnerships in the field of renewable energy. The success of these projects will lead to renewable energy playing a greater role in shaping Kazakhstan’s energy policies and regional development plans in the future.
[1] “Drying up of the Aral Sea”, Ecohubmap, https://www.ecohubmap.com/hot-spot/drying-up-of-the-aral-sea/1b2m24klj2r26q3, (Date Accession: 04.04.2025).
[2] “Water level is rising in Kazakhstan’s portion of Aral Sea”, Eurasianet, https://eurasianet.org/water-level-is-rising-in-kazakhstans-portion-of-aral-sea, (Date Accession: 04.04.2025).
[3] “Солнечную электростанцию построят в Аральском районе”, Golos Naroda, https://golos-naroda.kz/39615-solnechnuiu-elektrostantsiiu-postroiat-v-aralskom-raione-1730207371/, (Date Accession: 04.04.2025).
[4] “Aksa Enerji, Kazakistan’da yeni yatırım için düzenlenen törene katıldı”, AA, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/isdunyasi/enerji/aksa-enerji-kazakistandaki-yeni-yatirim-icin-duzenlenen-torene-katildi/675302, (Date Accession:: 04.04.2025).
[5] “BRI’s emphasis on environmentally friendly practices has benefited Central Asia countries”, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1297793.shtml, (Date Accession: 04.04.2025).
