Kazakhstan Pushes Clean Coal and Renewable Energy for Balanced Transition

Kazakhstan is advancing its energy transition by combining clean coal technologies with a major expansion of renewable energy projects, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint while maintaining energy security. The strategy follows President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent state-of-the-nation address, which emphasized sustainability rooted in the country’s long-term interests and realistic energy capabilities.
Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov noted that with 33.6 billion tons of coal reserves, a full shift away from coal is not feasible in the near future. Instead, the government is prioritizing clean coal modernization to minimize environmental impact while meeting international ecological standards. Planned projects include new combined heat and power plants in Kokshetau, Semei, and Ust-Kamenogorsk, as well as large-scale facilities in Kurchatov and Ekibastuz.
Simultaneously, Kazakhstan is scaling up its renewable energy portfolio. Over the next five years, the government aims to add 6.3 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity, strengthening the country’s green energy mix and supporting its climate commitments.
This dual-track policy—modernizing coal plants with cleaner technology while expanding renewables—demonstrates Kazakhstan’s intent to achieve sustainable growth without compromising energy reliability.