Kazakh Parliament Approves Green Energy Export Corridor to Europe

The lower house of the Kazakh parliament, the Mazhilis, has ratified a strategic partnership agreement with Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan to create a "green corridor" for exporting electricity to Europe. The agreement, signed by the heads of state in November 2024 during the COP-29 conference in Baku, establishes the legal foundation for one of the most ambitious energy projects in Kazakhstan's independent history.

The core of the initiative is the creation of a "Green Energy Corridor" designed to transport clean electricity, hydrogen, and green ammonia from Central Asia to European markets via the Caspian Sea. A key technological component will be laying a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) deep-sea cable along the seabed.

This strategic infrastructure will provide Kazakhstan with direct access to the European Union's energy market by connecting to a similar project planned for the Black Sea. The project is currently in an active development phase. The international consulting firm CESI from Italy has begun work on a technical and economic feasibility study.

The cost of this study is estimated at 1 million euros and is fully covered by grant funds from the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. These institutions have already confirmed their readiness to allocate up to $2 million in support for further project development.

To coordinate efforts, on July 1, 2025, the system operators of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan established a joint venture named "Green Corridor Alliance." This entity regularly coordinates expert groups working on various aspects of the initiative.

Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov emphasized that implementing this global project will position Kazakhstan as a reliable partner in sustainable energy capable of executing large-scale technological initiatives. He stated it would boost export potential, foster technological development, and transform Kazakhstan into a key Eurasian energy hub.

Following discussions, Mazhilis deputies supported the bill, highlighting its high relevance for strengthening regional energy security and advancing green economic goals.