May 17, 2018 at the site of the XI Astana Economic Forum Global Challenges Summit a panel session "Green Economy: a New Model of Sustainable Development" was held with the participation of Prime Minister Sagintayev B., Energy Minister RK Bozumbaeva K., Chairman of the Presidium of the Association of Environmental Organizations of Kazakhstan, Nazarbayeva A ., Chairman of the Global Institute for Green Growth, Ban Ki-moon and others.
During the meeting, the launch and activities of the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects, created by the initiative of the Head of State Nazarbayev N.A, were presented. The center will become an ideological continuation of the heritage of EXPO-2017.
The main function of the Center is the formation of a "green" culture and the solution of environmental problems through the development of green technologies in Kazakhstan and subsequently in the countries of the Central Asian region. The center is called upon to solve the tasks of transforming the energy sector, moving to green business, transferring and adapting green technologies and best practices.
Implementation of the Conception on the transition to a green economy in Kazakhstan showed that the use of resource-saving, clean technologies allowed improving access to central water supply to 94% in cities and 57% in rural areas; labor productivity in agriculture has doubled; the basis of a modern energy saving system has been created; By the end of this year it is expected that the capacity of renewable energy sources will be about 460 MW; the introduction of modern ash handling devices at existing coal-fired power plants continues; processing and recycling of waste has reached 31%.
Cooperation with OECD is a strategic priority for Kazakhstan. Accession to international treaties and legal instruments imposes certain obligations on Kazakhstan. To this end, work has begun to improve environmental legislation, which will be built on the principles of OECD countries: the current system of environmental impact assessment is to be revised, mechanisms will be introduced to encourage environmental users to reduce emissions using the best available technologies, principles ща regulation of emissions will be improved.
Achievement of the set goals within the framework of the Paris Agreement, along with reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, envisages the development of renewable energy sources (RES). With this purpose, the analysis of the Kazakhstan legislation and possibilities of its improvement for development of renewable energy has been carried out, the Atlas of solar resources of Kazakhstan is developed and launched.
On May 23, 2018 the first auction for the selection of projects for the construction of renewable energy will be held. During two auction sessions (in spring and autumn), 1 GW of renewable energy will be put up. Auction winners will be able to receive a 15-year guaranteed off-take contract for the purchase of electricity with a single purchaser of RES - a financial settlement center.
It is especially important to note that Kazakhstan attaches great importance to cooperation with international financial organizations.
The Bank is working with the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Asian Development Bank. The Agreement with the EBRD and Baikonyr Solar LLP on cooperation and support for the project "Construction of a 50 MW Baikonyr Power Station in Kyzylorda region" and the Memorandum between the Ministry of Energy, Astana City Administration, “Shell Kazakhstan” BV and AO “Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools” demonstrate the