TotalEnergies has made the final investment decision to develop the Mirny project in Kazakhstan, an initiative that combines large-scale wind power generation with battery energy storage. The company will allocate approximately $1.2 billion to power this energy infrastructure, which is scheduled to be fully operational by 2029.
This project involves the installation of an onshore onshore wind farm 1 GW onshore wind farm, accompanied by a 600 MWh BESS storage system. The electricity generated will supply nearly one million people, consolidating one of the largest renewable energy initiatives in the country.
Battery integration to guarantee grid stability
In addition, the storage system will play a key role in the stability of the national power grid. The technology will be supplied by Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, and will make it possible to manage the variability of wind power generation.
This integration also represents a significant step forward in the modernization of Kazakhstan’s energy infrastructure by incorporating grid-scale storage solutions, which are still limited in the region.
A long term agreement with the Kazakh Government
In addition, the electricity produced will be marketed through a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with the Government of Kazakhstan in 2023. This scheme guarantees stable revenues for the project and reinforces the institutional commitment to the energy transition.
The development of Mirny will be led by TotalEnergies, which owns 60% of the project, along with Samruk Energy and KazMunayGas, each with a 20% stake.
International funding backs Mirny project
In parallel, the project has secured external financing covering approximately 75% of the total investment. The agreement includes an international consortium of financial institutions such as the EBRD, Proparco, DEG and Standard Chartered, among others.
This financial backing reflects the market’s confidence in renewable energy projects in Central Asia, a region seeking to diversify its energy matrix.
Multi-energy strategy and climate objectives
TotalEnergies has been present in Kazakhstan since 1993, combining hydrocarbon operations with the development of renewable energies. Currently, the company is pursuing a strategy aimed at integrating renewable generation with flexible solutions such as storage.
The Mirny project is also aligned with the national target of achieving 15% renewable generation by 2030 and moving towards carbon neutrality by 2060.
Source and photo: TotalEnergies