On September 12–13, 2025, the 4th International Renewable Energy Business Festival, QazaqGreenFest, was held in Aktau under the theme “Energy Transformation: From Renewables to Alternative Energy.” The event, held for the first time in the Mangystau Region at Rixos Water World Aktau, brought together hundreds of participants, including representatives of government agencies, international companies, financial institutions, and the academic community.
The festival was organized by the Qazaq Green Renewable Energy Association and has become a traditional platform for discussing strategic issues related to renewable energy development in Kazakhstan. Over 16 years of development, the country’s renewable energy sector has achieved significant results: today, more than 150 facilities with a total capacity of over 3.2 GW are operational, and the share of green energy has reached 7%, with total foreign investment exceeding 1 trillion tenge.
One of the key focuses of the discussion was state policy on energy transition.
Member of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Dyusenbay Turganov, noted the significant changes in the regulatory framework: “In 2023–2024, a law was adopted regulating the development of small-scale renewable energy sources for households and small and medium-sized businesses.” Work is currently underway on a draft of a new Law “On Alternative Energy Sources” at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sungat Yesimkhanov, emphasized the systemic nature of the reforms: “Kazakhstan has set an ambitious but absolutely necessary goal—to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Over the next five years, we plan to commission 6.3 GW of renewable energy capacity, which will significantly increase their share in the country’s energy balance. Particular attention is being paid to the development of hydrogen energy, green energy production, industrial gas processing, and the implementation of energy storage systems. These steps form the foundation for a real transformation of the energy sector. “It is important to consider the state of the infrastructure, the level of technological readiness, and the interests of citizens and businesses. Only through the joint efforts of the state, parliament, the expert community, and the industry can we build an effective and balanced legislative framework that will unlock the full potential of alternative energy in Kazakhstan.”
As part of the festival’s business program, three memoranda of cooperation are expected to be signed:
• A Memorandum of Understanding between the Akimat of the Mangystau Region and the Qazaq Green Association
• A Memorandum of Understanding between KEGOC JSC and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).
• A Memorandum of Understanding between the Qazaq Green Association and ECOSIONA (Spain).
Traditionally, the final document of the festival will be the Charter—an appeal to the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan from the renewable energy business community, defining the sector’s development vector for the coming year. The document sets out specific proposals for improving legislation, developing new technologies, and strengthening Kazakhstan’s position in the field of renewable energy.
The Renewable Energy in Central Asia (EURECA) project, together with partners in Kazakhstan, organized a panel discussion on gender equality and education as drivers of energy transition in Central Asia.
The festival demonstrated Kazakhstan’s readiness for the next stage of its energy transformation, based on a balance between technological progress, economic development, and environmental responsibility. The next 5th International QazaqGreenFest is planned for 2026.
