Azerbaijan, Baku, May 4 / Trend E. Kosolapova /
Kazakhstan plans to increase clean energy production 2.4 times by 2014 compared with 2011, the Office of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in Kazakhstan told Trend on Friday.
"According to the targets of the State program for accelerated industrial-innovative development, at the end of 2014, the amount of generated electricity from renewable sources is expected to reach 1 billion kWh per year, which will be over 1 percent of total energy consumption," the ministry said.
Electricity generation by renewable energy sources facilities in Kazakhstan in 2011 amounted to 420 million kWh, an increase of 17 million kWh, or four percent more than in 2010.
According to the Ministry, the potential of renewable energy sources in Kazakhstan is about 1 trillion kWh per year. In particular, Kazakhstan's wind energy potential is estimated at 920 billion kWh of electricity per year, hydropower potential - eight billion kWh. In addition, the country has the resources for the development of solar energy.
"Following the research, the potential of solar energy in the southern parts of the country reaches 2,500-3,000 hours of sunshine a year," the ministry said.
Kazakhstan also has the potential to use geothermal and anthropogenic sources of primary energy sources (biomass, biogas and other fuels from organic waste).
At present, the share of renewable energy sources in electricity production in Kazakhstan is 0.5 percent.
According to the ministry, the impetus for the development of renewable energy in the country was the adoption of the Law "On supporting the use of renewable sources of energy" dated July 4, 2009.
"After the adoption of the regulatory framework in the area of renewables increased interest in of potential investors in the projects was mentioned," the ministry said.
In particular, the projects have been implemented for the construction of wind power for nuclear power supply and commissioning of small hydropower stations in the southern regions of the country. Investments have been attracted to construction of wind farms and small hydroelectric power stations in some regions of Kazakhstan.
Among the global companies that have expressed interest in investing in renewable energy, are Chevron, Samsung, and Relight.