Construction has begun on a 500 MW wind power plant in Kazakhstan, with the project being developed by a Kazakh–Chinese joint venture, Karaganda Wind Power LLP.
The investment agreement was signed in April 2026, and construction of the facility in the Osakarov district was officially launched later last month, according to regional authorities.
The project involves the development of a 500 MW wind farm, with total investment estimated at $645 million. Annual electricity generation is expected to reach around 1.6 billion kWh of green energy, with some earlier estimates placing the figure higher. Commissioning is scheduled for 2029, and the project is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1.3 million tons per year.
“Construction of the station is one of the key strategic initiatives, reflecting the development of green energy, which President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has identified as a priority. This is an important event for the region: new capacity, technologies, and jobs,” said Karaganda region governor Yermaganbet Bulekpayev at the launch ceremony.
The project includes the installation of around 60–65 wind turbines near the village of Saryozek, although final technical specifications have not been consistently confirmed. These are expected to be among the largest turbines deployed in Kazakhstan.
Around 600 jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase, with permanent positions to follow once the plant becomes operational.
“Next-generation wind turbines will be used in this project, and operational processes will be managed using artificial intelligence,” said Kairat Maksutov.
The site was selected due to its strong and consistent wind conditions, particularly along the Osakarovka-Saryozek-Telman corridor, where a 150 MW wind project is already in operation.
The project forms part of Kazakhstan’s broader push to expand renewable energy capacity, which currently stands at just 7% of its energy mixed.
In December last year, China Energy Engineering Group also began construction of a 300 MW solar power plant in the Sauran district of the Turkestan region in southern Kazakhstan. The project, with an investment of about $320 million, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, China Energy International Group is also active in the Uzbekistan energy market.
