Solar energy transition in Rural Kazakhstan: Assessing socioeconomic barriers, infrastructure feasibility, and carbon reduction pathways in arid agro-pastoral regions
نویسندگان
1 Department of Audit, Tashkent State University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
2 DSc in Economics, Professor of Alfraganus University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
3 Department of Financial analysis, Tashkent state University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
4 Department of Audit, Tashkent State University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
5 Department of Audit, Tashkent State University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
6 Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh, Uzbekistan
7 Department of Audit, Tashkent State University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
8 Department of Audit, Tashkent State University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
9 Department of Audit, Tashkent State University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
10 Department of Audit, Tashkent State University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
11 Senior Lecturer, Department of Finance, Termez State University, Uzbekistan
12 Professor of the Department of Human Resource Management of Samarkand State University named after Sharof Rashidov, University Boulevard, 15, Samarkand, 703004, Uzbekistan
13 Associate Professor of the Department of Management, International School of Finance Technology and Science, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
doi
10.22124/cjes.2025.8648چکیده
The transition to solar energy in rural Kazakhstan, especially in arid and agro-pastoral zones, despite the enormous potential for solar radiation (of about 2200 kWh/m2/year), is hindered by socioeconomic and infrastructural barriers. Based on field research, 300 rural household interviews, and techno-economic analysis, this paper documents evidence that 65% of the households do not have the financial ability to make a transition to clean energy. This is because up-front investment is unaffordable (over 2 million tenge for mini solar systems), and there are no government subsidies. Furthermore, 40% of the interviewees resist the adoption of solar technologies due to the lack of technical data and the perceived unreliability of the systems. From an infrastructure perspective, 70% of the research villages lack an electricity supply network, and the current dependence on diesel generators results in an annual emission of 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide per household. Simulations show that the installation of small solar power plants (5-10 kW) with battery storage would reduce carbon emissions in such regions by up to 75% and achieve a reduction of up to 18 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions over a decade. To make this transition happen, there must be a combination of enabling policies, widespread education of the local population, and participation of the private sector in the development of infrastructure.
