‘ KAZAKHSTAN ’ S ECONOMIC GROWTH HAS RAMPED UP ITS TRADITIONALLY FOSSIL FUEL-BASED ENERGY CONSUMPTION OVER THE PAST DECADE , WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY PREDICTING DEMAND IN THE COUNTRY TO DOUBLE BY 2035 ’
Agency predicting demand in the country to double by 2035 . For decades , coal-fired power plants have been at the core , accounting for nearly 75 % of total power generation . However , coal production has fallen due to diminishing profitability and rising mining accidents . In addition , coalfired power plants contribute to high air pollution rates in the country .
Kazakh authorities also stress the necessity to develop renewable energy because they believe that oil prices will rise in the next decade , while they fear the country ’ s recoverable oil reserves will decline . The development of renewable
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