Italian energy group Eni will develop it first solar power project in Kazkhstan, following an auction run under a joint scheme between the country and the United Nations Development Programme.

The 50MW PV plant in the Turkestan, being developed by Eni subsidiary ArmWind, adds to a 48MW Badamsha 1 wind farm, secured in September with GE Renewable Energy, and now being built in Aktobe, in western Kazakhstan.

“This award marks Eni’s entry in the solar sector of the country and confirms the company’s role as one of the most prominent energy players in Kazakhstan,” said Eni, in a statement.

“This new project is part of [our] overall strategy for decarbonisation and transformation path towards green energy and circular economy that the company began in 2014.”

The as-yet-unnamed PV project, slated to completed “in the second half of 2021”, is expected to result in greenhouse gases emissions reduction of 1.2 million tonnes of CO ₂ equivalent over the lifetime of the plant.

“Eni aims to improve energy access in the countries where it operates and is committed to maximising its effort to reduce CO ₂ emissions.”

Eni, which entered the Kazakhstan oil & gas market since 1992, is joint operator of the Karachaganak field and an equity partner in various projects in the Northern Caspian Sea, including the giant Kashagan field.

Transition

Oil group Eni lands first solar power project in Kazakhstan