Central Asia’s largest solar power plant opens in Kazakhstan
ASTANA (TCA) — The opening ceremony of Central Asia’s largest solar power plant — SES Saran — with a capacity of 100 MW was held on January 23 in the industrial center of the Karaganda region, the Saran town. The launch of this solar power plant is an example of the practical implementation of the tasks set by the President of Kazakhstan on economization of the country's foreign policy, attraction of best practices, knowledge, technology and investment in Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said. Implemented in a short time, the project was the result of coordinated work of central and local authorities with a group of foreign companies from Germany, the Czech and Slovak Republics, as well as the EBRD. During the construction of the solar power plant, particular attention was paid to local context, including the involvement of local workers, products and construction materials from Saran companies. In addition, jobs have been created for local residents at the new solar power plant. The launch of the solar power plant was another practical contribution to the implementation of the task of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to increase the share of renewable energy in the country, the transition to green technologies. This was noted in the statements by Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, German Ambassador to Kazakhstan Tilo Klinner, Akim (governor) of Karaganda region Erlan Koshanov, and Head of the International Center for Green Technology and Investment Projects Rapil Zhoshybayev. Before the opening ceremony, the parties signed a Memorandum on the development of the SES Saran project, which enables investment of up to 500 million dollars. The official opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, who held talks with the authorities of Saran, Karaganda region and the German company Goldbeck Solar. Agreements on the further involvement of economic diplomacy in the promotion of regional projects with the participation of European investors and the involvement of their technologies have been reached, the ministry said.
