Kazakhstan says alternative energy not yet affordable

Oct 9, 2012 - Kazakhstan will continue exploiting its vast coal and natural gas resources and will turn to alternative energy resources when their development becomes more financially affordable, Kazenergy Association said in a statement on Monday.

At present, the country seeks to meet 10% of its demand using alternative energy sources and will expand that target when the cost of production becomes more feasible, the chief of Kazenergy Association Timur Kulibayev told reporters, after the VII Kazenergy Eurasian Forum that took place in Astana last week.

Kazakhstan has one of the largest coal reserves in the world and is the second largest oil producer in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) after Russia. The country generates 80% of its power from coal, according to Kazenergy. However, its topography and terrain are perfect for wind and solar parks, with gorges acting as wind tunnels and more than 300 sunny days per year at the southeastern part of country.

Kazenergy Association is an independent non-profit organisation aimed at supporting the sustainable development of Kazakhstan's oil and gas and electric industry.

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