Fonroche Energie to work on 2-GW solar park in Kazakhstan - report

Nov 13, 2012 - French solar equipment maker Fonroche Energie SAS and Kazakh state-run power firm ZhambylGidroEnergo have joined hands on a 2-GW photovoltaic (PV) project in Kazakhstan, PV magazine said today, citing an official from the local company.

Deputy director Yernur Dzhienbaev was quoted as saying that the project would initially involve the installation of 24 MW of solar power in southern Kazakhstan, which would be later increased to 2 GW, equal to 10% of the total power demand in the country. Construction of the facility is planned to start in 2013, with the first phase of the project to have a total value of EUR 80 million (USD 101.5m), according to Dzhienbaev.

Furthermore, the Kazakh government is allegedly planning the construction of a solar silicon and PV module factories in Ust and Astana in the eastern part of the country.

All these plans come after an announcement with the quite opposite tone last month. The Kazenergy Association said in October that Kazakhstan would continue exploiting its vast coal and natural gas resources and not turn to alternative energy resources until their development became more financially affordable.

At present, the country seeks to meet 10% of its demand using alternative energy sources.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.269)

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