Kazakhstan’s First Waste-to-Energy Plant to Be Built in Almaty
Chairman of the Management Board of JSC "NC KAZAKH INVEST" Yerzhan Yelekeyev held a meeting with President of China’s Shanghai SUS Environment Co., Ltd. Long Jisheng to discuss a promising investment project for the construction of a waste-to-energy (WtE) plant in Almaty.
Shanghai SUS Environment is a leading global provider of environmental and energy solutions and the number one company in China’s WtE sector. With over $5.2 billion in assets, more than 3,500 employees, and operations in 10 countries, SUS has implemented 84 projects with a total processing capacity of 110,000 tons per day and generates 18 billion kWh of electricity annually.
The investment project under discussion involves the construction of a waste-to-energy plant in Almaty. The proposed investment volume is $270 million, with a processing capacity of approximately 2,000 tons of waste per day and up to 60 MW of electricity generation, covering a significant portion of the city’s energy needs. The project will create hundreds of new jobs, attract advanced technologies, and include knowledge transfer and personnel training.
Electricity will be generated by incinerating solid household waste using SUS Environment’s patented high-efficiency technologies, which meet European environmental standards. The energy efficiency of such facilities reaches 26%, exceeding the industry average.
The company has already presented a preliminary feasibility study and architectural concepts developed in collaboration with France’s AIA Life Designers and China’s Wintop Design. SUS Environment plans to sign an Investment Agreement with the Government of Kazakhstan.
Yerzhan Yelekeyev emphasized that the SUS Environment project fully aligns with Kazakhstan’s priorities for transitioning to sustainable development and a green economy. He noted that with population growth and expanding urban infrastructure, it is crucial for Almaty to adopt modern waste management solutions.
“This is one of the most environmentally significant infrastructure projects for Almaty. Identifying optimal technologies and setting qualification requirements is a fundamental criterion for implementing such a project. The company’s proven experience in the Waste-to-Energy sector can serve as a driver for developing a new industry in Kazakhstan. This is a clear example of how investment can address multiple challenges — from ecology to energy supply. We are confident that its implementation will lay the foundation for scaling similar solutions across the country,” he stated.
President of Shanghai SUS Environment Long Jisheng expressed his gratitude for the constructive dialogue and support from the Kazakh side. He emphasized that SUS sees Kazakhstan as a promising destination for long-term cooperation in Waste-to-Energy and the development of environmentally focused energy in the region.
