ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom discussed opportunities to draw on international expertise and investment potential for the development of the Caspian Green Energy Corridor during a meeting in Astana on Sept. 21.
Photo credit: KEGOC.
Representatives of Kazakhstan’s national electricity grid operator KEGOC met with John Alderdice, the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan and Central Asia and a member of the House of Lords. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the British Embassy in Kazakhstan, led by Ambassador Sally Axworthy.
KEGOC Deputy Chairman Bakytkhan Zhazykabayev told the British delegation about preparations for the project, its technical concept and the next stages of development.
According to KEGOC, the sides discussed current aspects of the project’s implementation, as well as opportunities to attract international experience and expertise. The British delegation presented its capabilities and investment potential in interconnection infrastructure and clean energy.
Project to connect green energy systems across the Caspian
The Caspian Green Energy Corridor envisages the development of infrastructure to transmit renewable electricity across the Caspian Sea and subsequently connect it to European markets.
The project is considering the construction of converter substations in Aktau and Baku, along with a 350–400-kilometer high-voltage direct-current cable under the Caspian Sea. The initiative also involves strengthening the national electricity grids of the participating countries.
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have established the Green Corridor Alliance joint venture to develop and implement the project. The system operators of the three countries hold equal stakes in the venture.
Feasibility study underway
Preparatory work is currently underway on a preliminary feasibility study for the corridor. The study is being carried out by Italian engineering company CESI. The assessment is expected to determine the project’s main technical solutions, preliminary cost and parameters for its further implementation.
The involvement of international expertise is intended to support the technical development of the cross-border energy infrastructure as Kazakhstan and its partners explore new opportunities for renewable electricity transmission toward European markets.
