Kazakhstan hopes EBRD will help attract investment in projects for methane emissions reduction and hydrogen energy development

ALMATY. April 16 (Interfax) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) might help Kazakhstan to attract technical support, investment and grants for its projects aimed at reduction of anthropogenic methane emissions, the Energy Ministry said in a press release.

Kazakh Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev met with EBRD representatives in Astana, according to the press release.

The minister said during the meeting that Kazakhstan was determined to intensify efforts in order to reduce methane emissions and proposed that the EBRD should be involved in this process.

"Taking into account the representation of international companies and development banks in Kazakhstan, in particular, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the minister suggested that concerted efforts should be taken to attract technical support, investment and grants in order to achieve the goal, which is to reduce anthropogenic methane emissions, as soon as possible," the press release says.

Kazakhstan has already joined the Global Methane Pledge, the minister told the meeting.

Satkaliyev also told the EBRD representatives that the Energy Ministry had developed a draft hydrogen concept, which is aimed at research work to be conducted to find best technologies for hydrogen production, transportation and storage.

"We are also mulling over pilot projects in Kazakhstan for popularization of best practices in hydrogen energy. Such projects will allow us to test new ideas and innovative approaches before introducing them into practice," the minister is quoted as saying.

Kazakhstan is committed to implementing the provisions of the Paris Agreement, having accepted obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% from 1990 levels in the amount of about 370 million tonnes of CO2 to 325 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030.

In December 2023, National Company KazMunayGas, one of 50 oil and gas companies from around the world, joined the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC). The signatories committed to achieving zero methane emissions no later than 2050, discontinuing LPG flaring by 2030 and ensuring carbon neutrality during oil and gas production.