Kazakhstan officially launched the construction works of a landmark 1-gigawatt (GW) wind power project in the southern Zhambyl Region on June 29. This project marks one of the largest renewable energy investments in the country’s history. Additionally, it reinstates the growing role of United Arab Emirates(UAE)-based clean energy giant Masdar in Central Asia.
Developer
The $1.4 billion project will be developed by an international consortium led by Masdar. Additionally, it is expected to help address electricity shortages in southern Kazakhstan while advancing the country’s long-term carbon neutrality goals. Kazakhstan seeks to achieve these goals with the development of clean energy projects such as wind and nuclear.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held via teleconference linking Astana and the project site in Zhambyl Region. The launch was attended by Vice Minister of Energy Sungat Yessimkhanov, Samruk-Kazyna CEO Nurlan Zhakupov, and Masdar Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi among many others. “Partnership with Masdar contributes to the development of renewable energy and supports Kazakhstan’s progress toward carbon neutrality. This project will strengthen the region’s energy security and attract modern technologies to the renewable energy sector,” said Yessimkhanov.
Capacity
The wind farm will have an installed capacity of 1 GW. Moreover, it will be paired with a 300-megawatt energy storage system that will be capable of storing 600 megawatt-hours of electricity. Furthermore, the integrated battery system is designed to improve grid reliability. It will achieve such by ensuring a stable power supply during fluctuations in wind generation and periods of peak demand.
Beyond power generation, the project includes more than 400 kilometers of transmission infrastructure. This will strengthen Kazakhstan’s electricity network and support future renewable energy expansion.
Sustainability
Once operational, the facility will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2.5 million tons annually. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2029.
Masdar Adds on its Portfolio in the Region
For Masdar, the Zhambyl project represents another major milestone in the region. This region has become increasingly important to Masdar’s international growth strategy. Addressing the ceremony, Al Ramahi described the wind farm as one of the largest integrated renewable energy projects in Central Asia and reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to Kazakhstan.
Masdar Emerges Among World’s Largest Clean Energy Companies
“Masdar today is one of the world’s largest clean energy companies, with more than 65 gigawatts of installed capacity and a clear path toward our target of 100 gigawatts by 2030. We are bringing that global scale, expertise and long-term capital to Kazakhstan through an investment of approximately $1.4 billion,” he said.
According to Al Ramahi, the project will deliver reliable and secure electricity. Other than that, it would create local jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains and support economic growth. He also highlighted Kazakhstan’s strategic location and its potential to become a regional hub for energy connectivity. “Central Asia is emerging as a leading player in the global energy transformation, and Kazakhstan stands at its heart,” he said. Earlier in the day, Masdar also signed a roadmap agreement with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry to explore round-the-clock clean energy supply for data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure, building on the company’s experience with similar projects in the UAE.
Moreover, as previously reported by The Astana Times, the Abu Dhabi-based company has transformed from an early clean-energy investor into one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy developers. In the midst of all this Central Asia has emerged as a key pillar of its strategy.
Other Renewable Energy Projects by Masdar in the Region
In neighboring Uzbekistan, Masdar recently secured a $225 million financing package for new solar projects and partnered with UAE entities to develop round-the-clock clean energy solutions that combine renewable generation with battery storage. Also, these projects are helping establish new models for reliable, dispatchable renewable power across the region. The Kazakhstan wind project in the Zhambyl region reflects a similar approach, combining large-scale renewable generation with energy storage to deliver more stable electricity supplies while supporting economic development and energy security.
Project Team
The consortium behind the project includes Masdar (40%) and W Solar (40%). Also it includes Samruk-Kazyna subsidiary Qazaq Green Power (18%) and the Kazakhstan Investment Development Fund (KIDF) (2%).
Lastly, officials described the project as one of the largest foreign direct investments currently being implemented in Kazakhstan’s energy sector. Additionally, they described it as a significant step toward modernizing the country’s power system. “We are not just building a project. We are building the infrastructure that will power Kazakhstan’s next chapter of growth,” Al Ramahi said.
Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl Wind Project Factsheet
Project Name: Zhambyl 1GW Wind and 300MW BESS Project
Location: Zhambyl Region, Southern Kazakhstan
Total Investment: $1.4 Billion
Wind Generation Capacity: 1,000 MW (1 GW) split across two 500 MW phases.
Energy Storage (BESS): 300 MW / 600 MWh Battery Energy Storage System
Grid Infrastructure: Over 400 km of new overhead transmission lines (OHTL)
Target Completion: 2029
Expected Generation: 3.4 billion kWh annually (powering 300,000 homes)
Environmental Impact: Displaces 2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year
Consortium Structure and Shareholding
- Masdar (UAE Clean Energy Giant): 40% stake (Lead Developer)
- W Solar (UAE): 40% stake
- Qazaq Green Power (Kazakhstan): 18% stake (A subsidiary of Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund)
- Kazakhstan Investment Development Fund (KIDF): 2% stake
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