Future Energy Security for Kazakhstan: A Case Study of Brazil.

Abstract

As a petro-state, the Republic of Kazakhstan is the largest greenhouse gas emitter in Central Asia. While the republic has a vast cumulative potential of renewable energy sources, the latest data indicates that the share of renewable energy sources in electricity production remains low at 2.3% in 2019. This paper aims to explore the energy security implications of Kazakhstan's target of raising the share of renewable energy source to 50% by 2050. Building on existing work on energy for sustainable development, our research question is: how does diversification of energy sources in Kazakhstan affect the republic's pursuit of energy security? Brazil's accomplishment in energy diversification as an oil exporting country is used as a case study, demonstrating the growing trend, and risks, of regional electricity integration to forge a sustainable and coordinated energy security policy.