FINTECC* is working in Kazakhstan, to support the implementation of resource efficiency technologies.

Since the late 1990s, industrial production in Kazakhstan has been on the rise. Several sectors would benefit significantly from energy efficiency interventions.

Kazakhstan’s manufacturing sector, for example, remains comparatively resource-intensive. This not only affects the country’s environmental footprint but also its ability to compete in the international markets.

Key areas contributing to this situation include limited data around resource use within companies and a lack of shared information regarding best practices.

There is also limited access to new resource efficiency technologies and the finances required to implement them.

Having defined the barriers to overcome, we are now working in Kazakhstan, in the following ways:

Investment support

We offer incentive grants to help companies install best available resource efficiency technologies. Incentive grants are available as a complement to EBRD financing and are payable after the installation and commissioning of the eligible resource efficiency technology. Grants can sponsor up to 15 per cent of the cost of a specific technology.

Technical support

FINTECC provides organisations in Kazakhstan with a range of technical support.

The EBRD’s in-house energy and water efficiency specialists review energy, water and material efficiency potential in client operations and assist in identifying the best way to support them in implementing investment opportunities.

International specialists are available where necessary to conduct resource efficiency audits, helping companies to prioritise sustainable resource efficiency investments and understand the technical and financial feasibility of installing specific technologies in their context. So far, 40 companies have benefited from this one-on-one support.

Training programmes have been provided for Akimat officials and private sector representatives in Almaty, Astana, Taraz, Kostanay, Karaganda, Akomole and Atyrau. This includes two-day training for State Energy Supervision Inspectors. Training materials have also been provided to the Kazakh government.

Policy support

Four priority areas of policy support have been completed with the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Kazakhstan:

• Development of Kazakhstan-specific benchmarks, for industries consuming the largest amounts of energy
• Training local Akimat officials in their responsibilities when implementing energy efficiency in infrastructure. State Energy Supervision Inspectors have also been trained in energy audit verification.
• Amendments to implementing regulations under the 2012 Law on Energy
• Saving and Energy Efficiency (“ES & EE Law”)
• Development of an audit methodology, with regulation to address auditing of industries

 

*The EBRD’s Technology Transfer Centre began work in Kazakhstan, under the Resource Efficiency Transformation Programme (ResET). The programme is sponsored by the Global Environment Facility.