Kazakhstan took a major step toward sustainable energy independence on Thursday with the groundbreaking of its 1-gigawatt Mirny wind power project, a landmark collaboration involving Chinese, Kazakh, and French firms. The initiative, backed by Shanghai Electric Group as a lead contractor, is set to become Central Asia’s largest wind energy complex upon completion in late 2028.
The $1.3 billion project will deploy 200 wind turbines across Kazakhstan’s wind-rich steppes, supported by integrated energy storage solutions. Shanghai Electric President Zhu Zhaokai emphasized its transformative potential: "This partnership strengthens regional energy security while creating jobs and clean power for over 300,000 households."
Once operational, the facility is projected to displace 3.2 million tonnes of annual CO2 emissions – equivalent to removing 700,000 cars from roads – while generating 4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity yearly. The development aligns with Kazakhstan’s national strategy to source 50% of its energy from renewables by 2050.
Construction comes as Central Asian nations accelerate green energy investments, with cross-border partnerships playing a pivotal role. The Mirny project’s 31-month timeline positions it to capitalize on growing EU-Asia clean energy corridors, while French participation highlights Europe’s interest in Central Asia’s renewable potential.
