Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states have reiterated their commitment to promoting renewable energy. One notable China-built project is now operational in Kazakhstan. CGTN Ravinder Bawa visited the Turgusun hydro power project to take a look.

The Turgusun hydropower plant marked its first anniversary in service this summer. Built on the Turgusun River in East Kazakhstan, it has been operating at full capacity since July of 2021 to provide electricity to the eastern part of the country.

KALAUBEK BAIMUKHANBETOV Director, Turgusun Hydropower Project "While producing energy we don't use coal or petrol that's why the world in at least our region is saved of the emission of 180,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Our region is saved of this emission annually."

The small hydroelectric power plant with an installed capacity of 24.9 megawatts was built by China using state of the art equipment. The engineer in charge of the plant is trained to handle this high-tech and compact machinery.

ANTON NEPOMNYASHIY Duty Engineer, Turgusun Hydropower Project "A lot of equipment installed works without oil. That is an added advantage of these state-of-the-art machines as there is no chance of damage to the environment even if there is an accident as we use dry transformers for transmission."

And the benefits to the eastern region of Kazakhstan extend beyond the electricity produced to jobs and community development.

NURGUL BAKYNOVA Mayor, Parygino Rural District "About 300 people from Parygino village were employed when this hydro power project was being constructed. Our village can now boast of good roads and now we have a pebbled road from here to the power plant."

As Kazakhstan expands renewables, more investment will be required to set up more plants. The government has plans to commission 11 green projects this year.

RAVINDER BAWA Kazakhstan "Here at Altai district there was a shortage of 50 MW of energy which got eased after the Turgusun power station was launched. The government wants to tap the potential of renewable energy and expects green energy to contribute 15 percent of the total electricity consumption by 2030."

The next goal after this will be to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 – an ambitious plan that some experts say will be difficult, given the finances of the nation. CGTN.