Kazakhstan Environment - The Times Of Central Asia

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Leonardo DiCaprio Congratulates Government of Kazakhstan

One of the most sought-after Hollywood actors, Leonardo DiCaprio, has appealed to the government of Kazakhstan on his personal Instagram page. On December 25th, the Oscar-winner congratulated the Kazakhstan authorities on the increase in the population of the endangered saigas. "Congratulations to the Government of Kazakhstan, which has invested heavily in anti-poaching initiatives, powerful law enforcement agencies and the creation of new protected areas. Their cooperation with environmental organizations, universities and scientists is a vivid example of real success in the field of nature conservation based on joint efforts," wrote DiCaprio, noting that saigas had moved categories from "on the verge of extinction" to "in a state close to threatened" on the international Red List. "This unprecedented recovery reflects the remarkable preservation of saiga in Kazakhstan. The species, which once numbered 48,000 in 2005, has now grown to more than 1.9 million in the wild," the actor noted. DiCaprio contributes considerably to climate change and pollution issues, supporting more than 200 projects focused on protecting wildlife and restoring the balance of ecosystems and communities. On December 12th, the International Union for Conservation of Nature reported that saigas no longer belong to the species of animals on the verge of extinction.

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Kazakhstan to Build New Reservoirs to Reduce Dependence on Neighboring Countries

The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan on December 22nd said it is beginning work on the construction of nine new reservoirs out of a planned twenty to reduce Kazakhstan’s dependence on the water flow from neighboring countries by 25%. The commissioning of new reservoirs will also increase the area of irrigated land by 250,000 hectares and reduce the threat of flooding in 70 rural settlements with a population of 137,000 people. Currently, design documentation is being developed for the nine facilities, and negotiations are underway to attract investors to the construction of new reservoirs. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has developed a Comprehensive Water Development Plan for 2024-2030. The document includes measures for the construction and reconstruction of reservoirs, reconstruction of hydraulic structures and irrigation systems. “The plan will be implemented in several stages,” said the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov. “In 2024-2026, it is planned to begin construction of twenty new reservoirs with a volume of 2.4 km³ in eleven regions. The implementation of the Comprehensive Plan will increase the volume of available water resources by 3.7 km³, expand the area of irrigated land to 2.2 million hectares, reduce annual losses of irrigation water by 3 km³, and also provide water supply to 41 settlements with a population of more than 55,000 people.” Kazakhstan, especially its southern regions, is highly dependent on irrigation water flow from upstream Kyrgyzstan. This past summer, Kyrgyzstan experienced a shortage of irrigation water and was forced to reduce the water flow to Kazakhstan’s southern Zhambyl region, which negatively impacted the region’s agriculture.

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President Japarov: Kyrgyzstan Should Provide Irrigation Water to Kazakhstan

A UN resolution obliges upstream countries, including Kyrgyzstan, to provide water to downstream states, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said on December 16th at the second People’s Kurultai (Congress) in Bishkek. Answering questions from the Kurultai delegates, the president said that the water problem would be solved through the construction of so-called ten-day and daily regulation pools. Such reservoirs will allow for the accumulation of water in winter and for it to be freely shared with neighbors downstream. The president said that Kyrgyzstan does not have a sufficient number of reservoirs, and, therefore, this year there was not enough water to supply to Kazakhstan. This past summer, the southern regions of Kazakhstan experienced a severe shortage of irrigation water for their fields. The construction of such reservoirs, the president explained, will meet the needs of Kyrgyzstan and, in addition, there will also be enough water to supply to downstream neighbors. The president also announced plans to build reservoirs. The reservoir construction program will last until 2027, he said.

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Kazakhstan to Intensify Work to Attract Investment in Green Technologies

Issues of supporting new projects in the field of renewable energy were discussed on December 14th at a meeting of the Council for the Transition to a Green Economy, chaired by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov. At the meeting, Madina Abylkasymova, Chairperson of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market, said that today the necessary legislative framework for the development of “green” finance has been created in Kazakhstan. A new Environmental Code has been adopted, and changes have been made for the issuance and circulation of green bonds and ESG bonds. The Prime Minister emphasized that a large-scale transformation of the economy requires, among other things, an increase in the volume of “green” investments. “To achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, financing in the amount of more than $600 billion is required. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify efforts to attract investments in green technologies,” said Smailov.

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Kazakhstan Launches Modernized Water Pipeline in Atyrau and Mangystau Regions

On December 13th, Kazakhstan unveiled the modernized main water pipeline, Astrakhan-Mangyshlak, in its western Atyrau Region. The significant expansion of this facility was a result of comprehensive reconstruction, directed by President Tokayev's under the supervision of Kazakhstan's Prime Minister, Alikhan Smailov. The upgraded Astrakhan-Mangyshlak pipeline will provide an additional 60,000 cubic meters of water to the population, enterprises, and agriculture of Atyrau and Mangystau regions. The project includes the renewal of worn-out equipment and the replacement of two sections of the main pipeline, totaling about 177 km in length. As a result, the throughput capacity of the Astrakhan-Mangyshlak water pipeline increased from 110,000 to 170,000 cubic meters per day. "The reconstruction of the water pipeline was completed a year ahead of schedule due to accurate design solutions and rapid construction rates. This marks just one of many large-scale projects planned for the region," Smailov said. Additionally, a desalination plant capable of producing 50,000 cubic meters of water per day is currently under construction in the village of Kenderli. From this plant, a 105 km long main water pipeline will be built to Zhanaozen. Smailov further stated, "Our goal is not only to provide 100% of settlements with clean drinking water by 2026, but also to create a reliable framework for further sustainable water supply to the population and industries10. For this purpose, projects are being implemented to build new and modernize existing hydraulic structures and water conduits. Branching networks are being brought to settlements, and pumping modules from underground sources are being installed in remote villages. We have a lot of work ahead of us."

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Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Energy Projects: Evaluating Potential Suppliers for a Sustainable Future

Kazakhstan, renowned for its abundant uranium reserves and expansive mining ventures, is making substantial progress in the realm of nuclear power. The country's inaugural venture into this field was marked by the BN-350 fast-neutron reactor in Aktau, which signified the launch of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant. At present, Kazakhstan operates 13 uranium mining projects. Kazatomprom, the national atomic company, fully owns three of these, while the remaining ten are joint ventures with foreign equity holders. In 2020, Kazatomprom's significant contributions to the uranium mining industry confirmed Kazakhstan's status as the global leader in uranium production, providing 28% of the world's production. However, Kazakhstan's nuclear aspirations are not confined to uranium mining. Plans are in motion to construct a nuclear power plant (NPP), projected to be operational by 2035, to cater to the country's escalating energy demands. The proposed NPP is expected to house two reactors, each with a capacity ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 megawatts. These reactors will help alleviate the shortage of base load power supply in the nation. Currently, the authorities are evaluating several potential suppliers of nuclear technology. The contenders include China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), South Korea's Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), France's Électricité de France (EDF), and Russia's state corporation Rosatom. The construction of the NPP has sparked significant debate within the country. In response to public sentiment, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced a referendum to decide the future of the plant. Despite the controversy, the nuclear sector continues to contribute to Kazakhstan's economy through job creation. Nearly 18,000 people are currently employed in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been closely monitoring Kazakhstan's progress in developing its nuclear infrastructure. The country operates several research reactors and other nuclear installations related to the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle10. While Kazakhstan's venture into nuclear energy offers significant benefits, including job creation, economic growth, and a sustainable solution to the country's escalating energy needs the course ahead depends on public sentiment and the outcome of the forthcoming referendum.