For the first time, the I International Renewable Energy Business Festival Solar Fest Qazaqstan took place in the summer of 2019 and gathered more than 300 representatives of the solar and renewable energy market of Kazakhstan: representatives of government agencies, Financial settlement center, the organizer of renewable energy auctions, domestic and foreign investors, international experts and recognized world industry leaders, international organizations and financial institutions, associations and universities of Kazakhstan.
Solar Fest Qazaqstan is not just a business event that brought together representatives of government agencies, international experts and representatives of industry business society, it is primarily a dialogue platform where participants had the opportunity to discuss topical issues on the development of renewable energy in Kazakhstan.
For two days, its participants discussed topical issues of “green” energy – the problems and difficulties of implementing renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan, prospects for further development of renewable energy sources, and alarming challenges that concern key market players.
The discussion resulted in a Charter – an appeal to the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan from the business community of the renewable energy industry on the further development of renewable energy in Kazakhstan. This Charter was sent to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Askar Mamin. Over the past 4 years, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Renewable Energy Association “Qazaq Green”, and the renewable energy business community have done a lot of work on the implementation of the Charter. At the moment, almost all the main provisions have been fulfilled.
We believe that this is a practical result of the joint work of the industry community led by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Solar Fest Qazaqstan became the platform that was able to accumulate the opinion of business and the vision of the government agencies.
Despite the fact that the event took place several years ago, the Qazaq Green Renewable Energy Association still receives positive feedback from both domestic and foreign participants. In this regard, it was decided to hold the II International Business Festival on Renewable Energy Qazaq Green Fest on May 25-26, 2023 at Rixos Hotel Borovoe.
In May 2023, the II International Business Festival on Renewable Energy, Qazaq Green Fest 2023, took place with the theme: “Energy sustainability of Kazakhstan: energy transition.” The event was aligned with the country’s international commitments to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
The festival was organized with the support of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Akimat of Akmola Region. Huawei was the general partner of the event, with Photomate as its certified partner. Other sponsors of the festival included Arm Wind, TotalEnergies, Longi, Sany Renewable Energy, and others. The festival was also supported by the United Nations Development Program in Kazakhstan, the Eurasian Development Bank, and the KAZENERGY Association.
Key topics discussed at the festival included ensuring energy security, state policy in the renewable energy sector, financing of renewable energy projects, gender and corporate aspects of ESG policy, and the development of carbon markets. Over 300 attendees from various countries participated, including representatives from companies such as NC KazMunayGas JSC, Visor Holding, ENI, Shell, Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V., NCOC, Air Liquide, Toyota Tsusho, Chevron, Tengizchevroil, Sany, LONGi, and Huawei.
The festival also marked the launch of the RES School, established under the Qazaq Green RES Association. The curriculum is designed to be flexible, catering to the diverse needs of participants, including both newcomers and experienced professionals in renewable energy. Instruction at the RES School will be delivered by experienced industry practitioners.
Furthermore, the festival introduced the first voluntary carbon certificate in Kazakhstan – the Qazaq Green Certificate. Its primary objective is to allow companies to validate reductions in their carbon footprint at the corporate level. Developed in collaboration with Caspian Stock Exchange JSC.
As a follow-up to the event, a Charter was drafted – a plea from the renewable energy business community to the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In addition to the main program, the festival included charity events for children from orphanages, a media competition, and opportunities for attendees to explore industry-leading technologies at the exhibition. A gala evening was also held in the open air at the scenic Burabay National Park on the shore of the lake.
