Construction begins on Kazakhstan’s First Hybrid Power Plant

On July 16, Kazakhstan celebrated the launch of construction on a hybrid power plant in Zhanaozen, funded by national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG) and Italian energy company Eni S.p.A., in its western region of Mangystau. According to KMG, the 247 MW hybrid project developed by Eni Plenitude will combine renewable energy sources -wind and solar - and a gas power plant to generate, balance and stabilize electricity production. The solar power plant will have a capacity of 50 MW; the wind power component, 77 MW, and the gas power plant,120 MW. By combing all three, the hybrid power plant will ensure a stable and reliable supply of electricity to KMG's regional subsidiary companies, including Ozenmunaygas and the Kazakh gas processing plant, and eliminate risks of shutdowns resulting from frequent interruptions to power supplies. Since approximately 40% of all electricity produced by the hybrid plant will be "green," the project will make a significant contribution to the implementation of  KMG's decarbonization strategy by reducing its carbon footprint. Askhat Khassenov,  Chairman of the Management Board of KazMunayGas, welcomed the initiative to provide Kazakhstan with its first hybrid plant and stated, "The project leverages Eni's international industrial experience and represents an innovative combination of various technologies. It also aims to diversify and decarbonize the energy supply in the Mangystau region. Additionally, the project will create new employment opportunities for highly skilled professionals in the region.” Present in Kazakhstan since 1992,  Eni is a joint operator of the Karachaganak field, an equity partner in various projects in the Northern Caspian Sea, including the Kashagan offshore field, and KMG's partner in the exploration block Abay.