Kazakhstan Launches $20 Billion Clean Energy Platform To Cut Coal Use And Add 10 GW Renewables By 2035

Kazakhstan has taken an important step toward a cleaner and more resilient energy future with the launch of the Just Energy Transition Investment Platform (QaJET). The announcement was made during the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 in Astana and reflects the country’s broader goals to improve its climate performance, strengthen economic stability, and support sustainable development.

QaJET is a long-term initiative designed to help Kazakhstan reduce its dependence on coal and gradually shift to renewable energy. Through this platform, the country plans to add 10 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity by 2035. To meet this target, around US$ 20 billion (€17.4 billion) in investment will be required from both public institutions and private investors.

Once these new renewable projects are in place, Kazakhstan expects to cut more than 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, which accounts for roughly 7 per cent of its energy-related emissions. To officially begin this collaborative effort, a memorandum of understanding was signed by several key representatives: Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev, and Hüseyin Özhan, Managing Director for Central Asia and Mongolia at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

This agreement lays the foundation for cooperation between Kazakhstan and international financial institutions, donors, philanthropic organisations, and private sector partners who will help drive QaJET forward. The launch of QaJET is particularly significant because Kazakhstan has one of the most carbon-intensive economies in the region, with heavy industries and electricity generation still highly dependent on coal. Recognising these challenges, the government requested support from the EBRD, which has been actively involved in shaping the concept of QaJET and will continue coordinating its implementation together with national and global partners.

In addition to supporting cleaner energy, QaJET aligns with Kazakhstan’s existing climate commitments. The country has pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 and aims to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contribution. The platform will also contribute to improved energy security, enhanced economic competitiveness, and greater resilience. Furthermore, it is expected to stimulate domestic manufacturing of modern renewable energy technologies and expand related services within the country.

Several areas of cooperation will form the core of QaJET’s activities. These include the development of new renewable electricity generation projects and the testing of innovative renewable technologies for heat supply. Another focus area will be improving the efficiency and capacity of Kazakhstan’s electricity transmission and distribution systems through grid upgrades, distribution network improvements, and the installation of battery storage systems.

Supporting electrification across businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, and households will also be a key component. In addition, QaJET will promote a just transition through knowledge building, technology transfer, and research and development to ensure that communities and workers are prepared for changes in the energy sector.

The EBRD will apply lessons learned from similar country platforms it has supported, including Egypt’s Nexus for Water, Food and Energy – Energy Pillar, the North Macedonia Just Energy Transition Investment Platform, and the Türkiye Industrial Decarbonisation Investment Platform. Kazakhstan has a long-standing partnership with the EBRD.

To date, the bank has invested nearly US$ 12 billion (€10.2 billion) across 345 projects in the country, making Kazakhstan the largest and longest-serving recipient of EBRD investment in Central Asia. This new platform marks another important chapter in that cooperation and strengthens Kazakhstan’s path toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy system.