A new development is moving forward in the nation of Kazakhstan as the 1 GW Mirny wind-and-storage project progresses to a completion date later this year. The new project is being developed by a joint venture created by several of the world’s top and largest energy companies, including TotalEnergies and Envison Energy. Kazakhstan has been empowering the advancement of its renewable energy sector to meet its self-imposed clean energy and emission reduction targets by the end of the decade.
The Mirny wind project combines a cumulative effort to increase renewable energy capacity in Kazakhstan
In 2023, TotalEnergies signed an investment agreement with the Government of Kazakhstan for the giant Mirny onshore wind project, which has progressed at an astonishing rate over the past two years as the nation aims to address climate change while also providing electricity to rural areas that previously relied on energy from the oil and gas industry in the nation.
The project is being developed by a new joint venture created between National Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna and the National Company KazMunayGas, and sets the stage for Kazakhstan to finally enter the wind energy generation sector through the Mirny project, which combines wind turbine energy generation with a huge battery storage system.
“With the advanced turbine technology, global expertise, and strong commitment to local content development, Envision Energy is the partner of choice for Kazakhstan’s landmark wind energy project. Together with Envision, we are confident that the Mirny project will play a pivotal role in helping Kazakhstan achieve 15% renewable energy in its national energy mix by 2030, delivering reliable, efficient, and sustainable clean energy while creating lasting economic and social benefits for local communities.” – Thierry Plaisant, Managing Director for TotalEnergies Renewables Kazakhstan
The Mirny project is the largest of its kind ever undertaken in Kazakhstan
Notably, the project is the largest ever wind development undertaken by the nation of Kazakhstan and exemplifies the nation’s ambition to diversify its energy mix over the coming years. Envision Energy has signed a deal to supply the project with 124 of its advanced 6.5 MW wind turbines that will be paired with an astonishing battery storage system to safely and efficiently store and send the power to the national grid.
Located in the Zhambyl region in southeast Kazakhstan, the Mirny wind project will consist of 140 wind turbines, combined with a 600 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery-based ESS that will boost the region’s renewable energy capacity. The project is being developed under a 25-year power purchase agreement that will develop a long-term supply of renewable energy to the Kazakhstan grid.
One of the project’s developers, Envision Energy, has been developing its international energy portfolio through several projects, such as a new wind-plus-storage deployment in Spain.
“As a global energy leader, TotalEnergies is proud to drive the energy transition in Kazakhstan through such an innovative project as Mirny. This wind and battery project will contribute to the supply and security of the Kazakh power grid. This represents a significant milestone in TotalEnergies’ multi-energy strategy.” – Patrick Pouyanné Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies
The wind energy sector has been growing all over the world
The news of the Mirny Wind project advancing thanks to the significant investments made by the litany of international energy companies exemplifies global sentiments for renewable energy generation. The world has stagnated in its embrace of the sector, but the only constant in life is change, and necessity breeds innovation. A prime example of the projected growth of the renewable energy market is the news that Germany’s Fleetmark wind site is set to be repowered by eight new wind turbines. The future of the energy market depends on pioneering wind and solar projects such as the Mirny project in Kazakhstan.
