Kazakhstan Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in kazakhstan, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Environmental Technologies
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Overview 

Kazakhstan’s environmental technology sector is gaining momentum as the country tackles the environmental impact of its resource-based economy. In 2023, environmental technology spending rose by 37.2 percent to 610 billion tenge ($1.1 billion), with most funds directed toward air quality protection, wastewater treatment, and waste management. These efforts align with Kazakhstan’s Strategy 2060, which targets carbon neutrality by mid-century.Renewable energy is central to this transition, with over 3.1 GW of installed capacity in 2025—led by wind (1.57 GW), solar (1.26 GW), small hydro (287 MW), and bioelectric (1.77 MW). 

Kazakhstan plans to launch 93 renewable energy projects totaling 2.3 GW by 2030 and at least 8.4 GW by 2035. Auctions for 6.7 GW are approved for 2024–2027, with wind prioritized due to strong potential. Financing typically follows a 70 percent debt and 30 percent equity model, with investors from China, Russia, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Flagship projects include the 250 MW Zhanaozen Hybrid Power Plant by KazMunayGas and Eni, combining solar, wind, and gas. Green hydrogen is also emerging, with South Korea’s YPP investing $3.1 billion in a 2 GW complex, and Svevind Energy Group leading a $50 billion initiative in Mangistau to produce up to two million tons annually.

Water management is a growing concern, with agriculture consuming over 60 percent of resources and significant losses during transport. Government officials in Kazakhstan have said that climate change and reliance on transboundary rivers worsen shortages, especially in Atyrau, Kyzylorda, and Mangistau. A new Water Code adopted in March 2025 promotes conservation, digital monitoring, and infrastructure upgrades. Governance has been centralized under the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, which now oversees subsidies, enforcement, and modernization through agencies like Kazvodkhoz and Kazhydromet. These reforms aim to ensure safe drinking water and sustainable resource use across the country.

Opportunities

Kazakhstan’s ambitious water infrastructure plans present significant opportunities for businesses in engineering, construction, and agri-tech. By 2030, the country aims to build 42 new reservoirs and reconstruct 37 existing ones to support agriculture, mitigate flooding, and reduce reliance on transboundary water sources. In 2025 alone, 98 water management projects commenced, focusing on automating irrigation canals and modernizing infrastructure. Between 2025 and 2027, over 170 canals across Kyzylorda, Turkestan, and Zhambyl regions will be automated. Additionally, 150,000 hectares of irrigated land will be equipped with water-saving technologies like drip irrigation and laser leveling, backed by government subsidies—creating demand for smart irrigation systems and precision farming solutions.

The waste management sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by urgent environmental needs and strong government backing. Kazakhstan generates around five million tons of municipal waste annually, yet recycling rates remain low. To address this, the government is developing 67 new waste processing facilities, including 43 recycling projects, sorting complexes, and six waste-to-energy plants. A preferential loan program offers financing at three percent for up to 15 years, making it attractive for private investors. Notable projects include a $270 million waste-to-energy plant in Almaty and EBRD-backed wastewater treatment upgrades in Aktobe and Karaganda. These initiatives open doors for companies specializing in recycling technologies, energy recovery, and environmental engineering.

Industrial waste recycling is another high-potential area, with 317 billion tenge ($589 million) allocated in 2025 alone. Kazakhstan is targeting mineral, plastic, paper, and textile waste, with 25 projects worth 330 billion tenge ($614 million) already underway. Major players like Konrad Copper Company are investing heavily, and more projects are expected by year-end. The government is also developing a national waste management concept to centralize operations and promote a circular economy, with new industries emerging in carbon chemistry and materials recovery. Businesses offering advanced recycling solutions, digital monitoring systems, and sustainable materials processing will find a growing market in Kazakhstan’s evolving green economy.
For more information on the environmental technologies sector, contact Commercial Assistant Alem Abubakirova: alem.abubakirova@trade.gov

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