ASTANA – A collaboration agreement aimed at advancing renewable energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects in Kazakhstan was finalized between Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund during the official visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Kazakhstan on May 12.
Photo credit: gov.kz
The exchange of documents took place during the Kazakhstan-UAE business forum, attended by UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Masdar Chair Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber along with Samruk Kazyna fund’s Chair Nurlan Zhakupov, as reported by Masdar’s communication team.
According to the terms of the agreement, Masdar, a leader in clean energy from the UAE, and Samruk Kazyna will investigate the establishment of a project that could generate up to 500 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy and BESS projects capable of storing up to two gigawatts (GW). Currently, Masdar is working on a significant wind farm in Kazakhstan, producing one gigawatt (GW) with a battery storage capacity of 600 megawatt-hours (MWh), which is expected to be one of the largest wind initiatives in the area.
Additionally, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei and Kazakh Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov formalized documents concerning the ratification of the intergovernmental agreement concluded at COP28 in 2023, which is pivotal for the one gigawatt (GW) wind project. This represents a crucial step forward for the project’s realization.
“This agreement reinforces the robust energy alliance between our nations and will bolster Kazakhstan’s ambitious renewable energy targets. By harnessing Masdar’s knowledge in renewable and battery storage technologies, Kazakhstan can meet its current energy requirements, foster job creation, boost its economy, and prepare for future energy demands. We anticipate a close partnership with Samruk Kazyna and the government of Kazakhstan to provide sustainable and secure energy while promoting socioeconomic development,” stated Sultan Al Jaber.
Kazakhstan aims to source 15% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030 and elevate this to 50% by 2050. At COP28, Masdar entered into a contract with W Solar, Qazaq Green Power QGP, a subsidiary of Samruk Kazyna Group, and the Kazakhstan Investment Development Fund to advance the one gigawatt (GW) wind project. The investment and power purchase agreements were finalized at COP29 in Baku last year, with construction slated to commence in 2026.
This year, Masdar unveiled a breakthrough in battery storage technology during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) by launching the world’s first gigascale 24/7 solar and battery storage initiative.
Situated in Abu Dhabi, this project will feature a 5.2 gigawatt (GW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant linked to a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) BESS, capable of providing up to one gigawatt (GW) of baseload power daily, making it the largest integrated solar and BESS project globally.
Central Asia, with its abundant solar and wind resources, is a strategically important region for Masdar. In addition to its activities in Kazakhstan, the company is also engaged in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Masdar targets achieving a global portfolio capacity of 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2030.