ACWA Power’s Renewable Energy and Water Vision for Kazakhstan
ACWA Power CEO Marco Arcelli Discusses Kazakhstan’s Renewable Energy Potential and Water Desalination Expertise
During the Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR) on Nov. 17, Marco Arcelli, the Chief Executive Officer of ACWA Power, sat down for an interview with The Astana Times to discuss Kazakhstan’s potential in renewable energy and the country’s water shortages. Arcelli addressed the significance of Kazakhstan’s renewable energy sector and highlighted ACWA Power’s expertise in water desalination.
In March, an agreement was signed between the Kazakh Ministry of Energy, Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund, and ACWA Power to construct a one-gigawatt wind farm in the Zhetisu Region. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2025.
Arcelli expressed optimism about Kazakhstan’s significant potential in the renewable energy sector, emphasizing the importance of embracing emerging technologies such as green hydrogen and ammonia. He pointed out that Kazakhstan must rapidly decarbonize its economy to facilitate exports to the European region due to the impending implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in Europe.
ACWA Power aims to leverage its experience in implementing renewable projects in multiple countries to enhance cost efficiency in Kazakhstan’s renewable energy endeavors. The company has a track record of achieving the lowest prices in solar photovoltaic, concentrated solar power, and green hydrogen, positioning them as industry leaders.
In addition to renewable energy, ACWA Power is also focused on water desalination, operating in several countries to address the critical need for water in arid regions. The company’s commitment to reducing chemical usage, brine discharge, and environmental impact has made its desalination expertise sought after by countries beyond the Gulf region, including Kazakhstan.
Arcelli acknowledged the challenges of initiating large-scale renewable projects in remote areas, such as logistical and weather-related obstacles. However, he emphasized that Kazakhstan can be a significant player in exporting renewable energy to the EU and China, highlighting the potential impact on local industries and economic growth.
ACWA Power is keen on replicating its successful model of developing local expertise in Kazakhstan, contributing to skill development and the local economy. The company aims to propose an overall solution that brings power generation, desalination, and green hydrogen production together to become a catalyst for the development of the population and industries in Kazakhstan.
The interview with Marco Arcelli sheds light on the potential for Kazakhstan to become a key player in renewable energy and water desalination and emphasizes the need for rapid decarbonization in the country’s economy as it prepares to export to the European market.
