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Kyrgyzstan Begins Construction of a New Solar Power Plant

Kyrgyzstan has launched the construction of a new solar power plant in the Kemin district of the Chui region, approximately 100 kilometers east of the capital, Bishkek. The plant will have a capacity of 100 MW and is expected to generate 155 million kWh of electricity annually. According to the government, this will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 140,000 tons and coal consumption by 50,000 tons per year. At the January 21 groundbreaking ceremony, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev described the project as a significant step toward achieving Kyrgyzstan’s energy independence and advancing sustainable development. Acknowledging that the country still heavily relies on its Soviet-era hydroelectric power plants for electricity generation, Kasymaliev emphasized Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to adopting modern and environmentally friendly energy solutions. Kasymaliev also highlighted the country’s growing energy demands, noting that Kyrgyzstan’s population now exceeds 7 million and new large-scale industrial enterprises are being established. He expressed optimism that the new solar power plant would help alleviate electricity shortages, which remain a pressing issue, especially during the winter months. The chairman extended his gratitude to Chinese partners and investors, particularly those from Shaanxi Province, for their support and contributions to the project. Kyrgyzstan is actively addressing its energy challenges by investing in a diversified mix of renewable energy initiatives, including solar and wind farms, as well as large hydroelectric power projects.

Ecology Traffic China Transport

Railway Relocation Project Aims to Decongest Traffic and Improve Air Quality in Bishkek

On January 16, the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) presented Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliev with several proposals for a project to relocate the city’s railway tracks outside the capital’s limits, the Bishkek municipality’s press service reported. The railway, originally built during the Soviet era, runs through Bishkek from east to west, dividing the city nearly in half between its northern and southern parts. These tracks, used for cargo and passenger transport, pass through the central parts of the city and intersect with numerous strategic streets and roads. This setup has long been a major contributor to traffic congestion, especially during morning and evening peak hours. At the end of 2024, Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers approved a memorandum of cooperation with CRBC, focusing on a large-scale upgrade of Bishkek’s railway and road infrastructure. The ambitious project includes relocating the existing railway tracks to bypass the city, constructing a new railway line outside Bishkek, and transforming the current railway corridor into a high-speed roadway. Junushaliev explained that the new railway line will bypass the city to the north. The vacated area from the old railway tracks will be redeveloped with a new highway with high-rise residential buildings and shopping malls along its route. The total cost of the railway relocation project is estimated at $585 million. It is expected to address two major urban challenges: traffic congestion and air pollution. Traffic congestion in Bishkek has been a persistent issue, with vehicles frequently backing up at intersections where the railway intersects major city roads. This not only delays commuters but also significantly worsens air quality. Exhaust emissions from idling vehicles in traffic jams are considered one of the leading contributors to the city's air pollution. By relocating the railway tracks and introducing a high-speed roadway, the project is anticipated to streamline traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve Bishkek’s air quality.

Green Transition Nuclear power Rare Earth Elements United States Uranium China Russia

Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Move and Implications for the West

Kazakhstan’s recent referendum approving the construction of its first nuclear power plant (NPP) is a watershed moment. More than a domestic policy decision, this move puts into relief Kazakhstan's strategy for positioning itself as a linchpin in the diversification of global energy supply chains, with the world's largest uranium reserves accounting for nearly 40% of the global supply and a key geographic location. The country's ambitions align with the broader resurgence of nuclear power as an indispensable component of a sustainable energy future, countering decades of stagnation in the West and challenging the dominance of Russia and China. The renewed attention on nuclear energy arises from a convergence of systemic and technological factors. Environmental pressures to reduce reliance on fossil fuels such as gas and coal have left energy producers searching for scalable, reliable alternatives. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar, while important, remain limited by intermittency and storage challenges. At the same time, safety concerns rooted in historical disasters — Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima — have been mitigated by advances in reactor technology. A growing public recognition of nuclear power's viability has resulted. In this context, Kazakhstan's entry into the nuclear power arena is logical. Enhancing its ability to integrate uranium extraction with downstream nuclear fuel production would underscore its potential to play a central role in addressing global energy needs. By fostering international partnerships, Kazakhstan can leverage its resource wealth to become a critical supplier for advanced economies looking to diversify their energy mix. Kazakhstan's move comes at a time of shifting geoeconomic dynamics in the nuclear energy sector. Over the past three decades, Russia and China have consolidated their dominance, exploiting the West’s inertia. Russia has used NPP construction as a geoeconomic tool, creating dependence in such countries as Turkey and Uzbekistan. China, meanwhile, has aggressively developed its domestic nuclear infrastructure while securing global uranium supplies, particularly through investments in Africa and Central Asia. By contrast, Western nations have lagged behind, plagued by fragmented project management, skilled labor shortages, and political resistance. Anti-nuclear movements, many of which gained momentum during the Cold War with Soviet backing, have continued to stymie development in Europe and North America. The resulting industrial inertia has left Western economies vulnerable, with insufficient capacity to meet rising energy demands or counterbalance Russian and Chinese influence. Kazakhstan's emergence offers the West a rare opportunity to reverse this trend. The country’s multi-vector diplomatic strategy, emphasizing balanced relations with global powers, makes it an ideal partner for rebalancing energy supply chains. Kazakhstan’s role in global energy extends beyond uranium. The country’s geological resources overlap with deposits of rare-earth elements (REEs), which are vital for advanced defense technologies, renewable energy systems, and high-tech manufacturing. The shared extraction technologies and logistical infrastructure for uranium and REEs present opportunities for integrated resource development. NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program could play a pivotal role in this regard. By incorporating rare-earth mining and supply chain security into NATO’s Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection (CEIP) framework, member states could...

China Economic Cooperation Drones Investment Projects

Chinese Company to Manufacture Drones in Kazakhstan

Yesil Technology Company, a subsidiary of China’s Shaanxi Kaizhuo Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., is set to establish an industrial drone production facility in Kazakhstan. The project, valued at approximately $12 million, marks a significant step in advancing high-tech manufacturing in the country. Construction of the production and research zone, spanning 50,000 square meters, will begin in March 2025 in the Almaty region. The facility will include a workshop for manufacturing drone batteries, a research center for innovative technologies, a full-cycle machine storage, and a test site for drones. Supported by the national company Kazakh Invest, the initiative is projected to create 500 new jobs. The drones manufactured in Kazakhstan will serve both the domestic market and be exported to neighboring Central Asian countries. Yesil Technology aims to integrate advanced UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) technologies into various sectors, including agricultural monitoring, environmental protection, securing sensitive facilities, emergency rescue operations, and counter-drone measures. Yongning Hui, the head of Yesil Technology, highlighted the company's commitment to solving critical challenges in the drone industry, including extending UAV flight ranges, enhancing intelligent obstacle avoidance, and improving navigation precision and stability. “Yesil Technology actively attracts outstanding scientists and researchers from around the world, focusing on solving key problems such as the limitation of unmanned aerial vehicles’ flight range, the accuracy of intelligent obstacle avoidance, and the precision and stability of navigation, which hinder industry development," Hui stated. "Today, our products already have the ability to operate stably in the most challenging conditions and accurately perform tasks, providing users with calm and reliable aviation services. Yesil Technology also takes on an important mission to train local personnel in unmanned aerial vehicle technology.” The company’s efforts come at a time of rapid global growth in the low-altitude economy. According to the World Federation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, the market for low-altitude drones and related technologies reached $318.64 billion in 2024. By 2050, this figure is expected to surpass $8.8 trillion. China has emerged as a leader in this sector, with its low-altitude economy market valued at $68.65 billion in 2023. Projections for 2024 estimate growth to $79 billion, with an average annual growth rate of over 16% anticipated over the next five years. The establishment of the drone production facility in Kazakhstan aligns with the country’s broader goals of fostering technological innovation and regional economic integration.

Tourism tourism industry international tourism China

Kazakhstan Named Most Promising Destination for Chinese Travelers

Kazakhstan has affirmed its credentials as a tourist destination for Chinese travelers, receiving the award for “Most Promising New Destination of 2025” from Tongcheng Travel, China's largest online travel agency. Demand for travel to Kazakhstan surged by 300% year-on-year in 2024, according to Tongcheng. This growth trend is expected to continue in 2025, fueled in part by the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China. During this campaign, the number of tourists from China increased by 78%, reaching 655,000 visitors. Kazakhstan’s natural diversity, historical landmarks, and rich cultural heritage have proven to be major draws for Chinese travelers. “We have recorded a two-fold increase in the number of tourists from China and intend to maintain this positive dynamic. Our cooperation with leading Chinese platforms will expand,” said Kairat Sadvakasov, Chairman of Kazakh Tourism. Kazakhstan’s appeal as a tourist destination extends beyond China. Western travel journalists have also acknowledged the country’s potential. The British publication Lonely Planet included Kazakhstan in its list of the best travel destinations for 2024, whilst CNN Travel named Almaty as one of the top tourist destinations for 2025. These accolades reflect Kazakhstan’s efforts to establish itself as a major global tourism hub, leveraging its unique natural beauty and cultural heritage to attract visitors from around the world. Kazakhstan’s recognition by Tongcheng Travel underscores its growing reputation in the Chinese market, which has immense potential given the scale of outbound tourism from China. By fostering partnerships with major Chinese platforms and continuing to promote its diverse offerings, Kazakhstan is poised to solidify its position as a leading destination for travelers in the region.

China Uranium Nuclear Energy Nuclear power

Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Fuel Plant Achieves Full Production Capacity

Kazakhstan’s national uranium company, Kazatomprom, announced on January 6 that its Kazakh-Chinese joint venture, Ulba-FA LLP, achieved its design capacity of producing 200 tons of low-enriched uranium in the form of fuel assemblies by the end of 2024. Ulba-FA is the only fuel production facility for nuclear power plants in Central Asia. The joint venture is a collaboration between Kazatomprom, represented by its subsidiary Ulba Metallurgical Plant, and China General Nuclear Power Corporation. Since commencing operations in November 2021, Ulba-FA has gradually ramped up production, reaching its design capacity within three years. The 200 tons of nuclear fuel produced in 2024 are sufficient to reload six nuclear reactors. Supplying China’s Nuclear Power Plants All fuel assemblies produced at the Ulba-FA plant are currently supplied to nuclear power plants in China, underscoring the strategic partnership between the two nations in the nuclear energy sector. China and Russia remain the largest importers of Kazakh uranium. Between January and October 2023, Kazakhstan exported $2.46 billion worth of uranium, with $922.7 million directed to China and $1.2 billion to Russia. Kazatomprom solidified its position as the world’s largest uranium producer in 2023, accounting for approximately 20% of global primary uranium production.