On June 27, the first phase of the Shelek 60 megawatt (MW) wind power project in Kazakhstan officially began construction. It is being built by POWERCHINA and is invested by POWERCHINA and Samruk-Energy Company, Kazakhstan's largest state-owned energy development company.
The project is located in the Ili River Valley, in the west extension of the Tianshan Mountains in Kazakhstan. It is about 150 kilometers from Almaty and 210 km from Khorgos Port in China.
After its completion, the annual equivalent power generation hours will reach more than 3,800 hours, which will effectively promote the adjustment of Kazakhstan's power structure.
It will also greatly alleviate the power shortage in southern Kazakhstan, as well as contribute to local social and economic development.
In September 2017, the project was included in the "List of Key Projects for Capacity Cooperation between China and Kazakhstan" by the Investments and Development Ministry of Kazakhstan and the China Industrial Overseas Development Association.
In July 2018, it became the first renewable energy project invested by POWERCHINA in Russia-speaking areas.
Its construction is another successful example of POWERCHINA following the development trend of the global market and the Belt and Road Initiative, which will promote international cooperation between China and Kazakhstan.
