Spatial assessment of the distribution and potential of bioenergy resources in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Abstract. Kazakhstan is naturally rich in fossil fuels and its economy is strongly linked to oil and gas exports. Significant coal reserves have led to an energy mix that is dominated by aging and polluting thermal power plants. Yet Kazakhstan comprises mainly grassland steppe where agriculture and livestock pastoralism dominate offering the potential for cleaner, renewable energy production from a range of agricultural and forestry wastes. Here we analyse the spatial distribution and bioenergy generation potential of different feedstocks using an ArcGIS platform and demonstrate a significant opportunity for a range of bioenergy technologies. We recommend a number of policy interventions to enable Kazakhstan to make a transition to cleaner, more accessible and locally generated supply which is also sustainable and provide a waste management solution.

Landscape of the Mangystau Region in Kazakhstan as a Geomorphotourism Destination: A Geographical Review

“…The absolute elevations of the plain surface vary from -7 to -27 m, decreasing towards the sea. Within this region, oil and gas are mainly being developed (Koshim & Karatayev et al, 2018).…”

Annual Landsat time series reveal post-Soviet changes in grazing pressure

“…Fire regimes changed most strongly on cropland, especially after 1990, most probably due to an increase in intentional agricultural burns that are used to remove excess straw from fields. During Soviet times, straw was used in the large livestock farms, but that is no longer the case due to the collapse of livestock numbers (Koshim et al, 2018).…”

Establishing and comparing energy security trends in resource-rich exporting nations (Russia and the Caspian Sea region)

“…Kazakhstan receives 2200–3000 h of sunlight per year, which equals 1200–1700 kW per m 2 annually ( REN21, 2019 ). Kazakhstan has set a target of raising the share of renewable resources in electricity production from 3% by 2020 to 50% by 2050 ( Koshim et al, 2018 ). In Azerbaijan, the figures are 1500–2000 kWh per m 2 ( Vidadili et al, 2017 ).…”

“…In the case of Russia, the total technical bioenergy potential is estimated at 2225.4 PJ ( Namsaraev et al, 2018 ). Despite huge renewable energy potential, this potential is not fully used due to a number of specific barriers that resource-rich countries are facing so far ( Koshim et al, 2018 ; Karatayev et al, 2016 ).…”