Solar energy transition in Rural Kazakhstan: Assessing socioeconomic barriers, infrastructure feasibility, and carbon reduction pathways in arid agro-pastoral regions

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Audit, Tashkent State University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

2 DSc in Economics, Professor of Alfraganus University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

3 Department of Financial analysis, Tashkent state University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

4 Senior Lecturer, Department of Finance, Termez State University, Uzbekistan

5 Professor of the Department of Human Resource Management of Samarkand State University named after Sharof Rashidov, University Boulevard, 15, Samarkand, 703004, Uzbekistan

6 Associate Professor of the Department of Management, International School of Finance Technology and Science, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

7 Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh, Uzbekistan

10.22124/cjes.2025.8648

Abstract

The transition to solar energy in rural Kazakhstan, especially in arid and agro-pastoral zones, despite the enormous potential for solar radiation (of about 2200 kWh/m2/year), is hindered by socioeconomic and infrastructural barriers. Based on field research, 300 rural household interviews, and techno-economic analysis, this paper documents evidence that 65% of the households do not have the financial ability to make a transition to clean energy. This is because up-front investment is unaffordable (over 2 million tenge for mini solar systems), and there are no government subsidies. Furthermore, 40% of the interviewees resist the adoption of solar technologies due to the lack of technical data and the perceived unreliability of the systems. From an infrastructure perspective, 70% of the research villages lack an electricity supply network, and the current dependence on diesel generators results in an annual emission of 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide per household. Simulations show that the installation of small solar power plants (5-10 kW) with battery storage would reduce carbon emissions in such regions by up to 75% and achieve a reduction of up to 18 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions over a decade. To make this transition happen, there must be a combination of enabling policies, widespread education of the local population, and participation of the private sector in the development of infrastructure.

Keywords

References

Khurramova M, Akmal H, Nodira P, Kenjabaev J, Anarkulov D, Kosimova S, Xurshida K, Dildora M, Sapaev B, Sullieva S 2024, The concept of production resources in agricultural sector and their classification in the case of Uzbekistan. Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences, 22: 477-488.
Abenova, M, Satayeva, A & Jussupbekov, A 2022, Energy poverty in rural Kazakhstan: A case study of off-grid communities. Renewable Energy Focus, 41: 112-120, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ref. 2022.04.005
Beirami, AAM, Maghsoudlou, E, Nasrabadi, M, Sergeevna, KN, Abdullaev, S & Ibrahim, W 2024, An assessment of greenhouse gases emission from diesel engine by adding carbon nanotube to biodiesel fuel using machine learning technique. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, 19: 1358-1367.
Bekpulatov, JM, Makhmarezhabov, DB & Umirzokov, AA 2024, On the possibility of waste-free use of mineral resources of the Angrensky Brain coal deposit. In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 491, p. 02018). EDP Sciences.
de Souza, V H, Satyro, W, Contador, JC, Pinto, LF & Mitidiero, MC 2023, The technology analysis model-TAM 4.0 for implementation of Industry 4.0. International Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 14: 271-281.
International Renewable Energy Agency 2023, Renewable power generation costs in 2022. Abu Dhabi: IRENA.
International Energy Agency 2023, World Energy Outlook 2023. OECD Publishing.
Inayata, SM, Zaidia, SMR, Ahmeda, H, Ahmeda, D, Azama, MK & Arfeenb, ZA 2023, Risk assessment and mitigation strategy of large-scale solar photovoltaic systems in Pakistan. International Journal of Industrial Engineering & Management (IJIEM), 14: 105-121.
Ivanov, V & Smith, J 2023, Dust-resistant solar panels in arid climates: A case study from Aktobe, Kazakhstan. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 250: 112067, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat. 2023.112067.
Karatayev, M & Clarke, ML 2023, Renewable energy deployment in Kazakhstan: Policy drivers and barriers. Energy Strategy Reviews, 45: 101045, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2023.101045.
Karatayev, M, Hall, S, Kapsalyamova, Z & Clarke, ML 2022, Renewable energy transition in Kazakhstan: Challenges and opportunities. Energy Policy, 168: 113155, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol. 2022.113155
Kazakhstan Ministry of Ecology 2023, National Report on Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Nur-Sultan: Government Publishing, Kazakhstan.
Khabarova, T, Smith, J & Ivanov, V 2023, Impact of extreme climates on solar panel efficiency in Central Asia. Journal of Clean Energy Technologies, 11(2): 45-58, https://doi.org/10.1080/12345678. 2023.987654.
Khayitov, O, Saidova, L, Galiev, S, Umirzokov, A & Mahkamov, M 2023, Interrelation of performance indicators of technological transport with mining conditions of a quarry. NEWS of National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, pp. 226-239.
National Bank of Kazakhstan 2023, Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2022. Astana: Statistical Bulletin, Kazakhstan.
Panfilov S, Kabanov V, Starostina O, Terenteva A, Sadunova A, Kandalova M, Egorov P, Matveev S 2021, Problems with construction of technical means for energy saving and pollution mitigation, Procedia Environmental Science, Engineering and Management, 8: 725-731.
Sagalovicha, O, Popova, V, Sagalovicha, V, Dudnika, S & Оlijnykb, O 2023, Working out the processes of deposition “metal-metal “multi-layer coatings (Cu-Mo, Cu-MoN, Cu-C) and studying the tribological characteristics of friction pairs. Journal of Materials and Engineering, 1: 26-37, DOI: 10.61552/JME.2023 .01.004.
Sarsembayeva, A & Abdinov, R 2023, Infrastructure challenges for decentralized solar systems in Kazakhstan. Energy for Sustainable Development, 74: 206-215, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2023. 03.009.
Sarsembayeva, A, Abdinov, R & Petrova, S 2023, Infrastructure barriers to solar energy adoption in arid regions: Evidence from Kazakhstan. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 57: 103245, https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.seta.2023.103245.
Statistical Committee of Kazakhstan 2023, Demographic Yearbook of Kazakhstan 2022. Nur-Sultan: SCK Publishing.
Tleuken, A, Tokbolat, S & Karaca, F 2022, Social acceptance of renewable energy technologies in rural communities: A Kazakhstan perspective. Energy Research & Social Science, 89: 102567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2022.102567.
UNDP 2021, Kazakhstan’s Nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement. United Nations Development Programme.
Uralovich, KS, Toshmamatovich, TU, Kubayevich, KF, Sapaev, IB, Saylaubaevna, SS, Beknazarova, ZF & Khurramov, A 2023, A primary factor in sustainable development and environmental sustainability is environmental education. Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences, 21: 965-975.
Yergaliyev, A, Zhang, Y & Wang, Q 2021, Assessment of solar energy potential in Kazakhstan: A GIS-based approach. Renewable Energy, 178: 832-843.
Zhang, L, Wang, H & Liu, X 2023, Public-private partnerships in solar energy deployment: Lessons from East Asia. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 184: 113555, https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.rser.2023.113555.
Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 2
April 2025
Pages 409-415

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics