News
News & Events
07. Juli 2023
Round Table
Housing stock in Kazakhstan clima-neutral by 2060
Picture: ©IWO e. V.
Round Table discussion on "Professional Housing Management and Energy Efficiency: Residential Building Reconstruction"
On the 29th of June 2023, a round table discussion on "Professional Management of Residential Real Estate and Energy Modernization of the Housing Stock" took place in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event was organized in a hybrid format with the support of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken".
The event saw active participation from organizations such as the Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan, the German Energy Agency (dena), the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, OJSC “The Kazakhstan Center for Modernization and Development of Housing and Communal Services”, OJSC “Electric power and energy saving development institute” and others.
The discussion at the event focused on the significant energy consumption in buildings in Kazakhstan, accounting for 47% of the total energy consumption, with residential buildings alone responsible for 34% according to the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan. The urgent need to improve the energy efficiency of buildings aligns with Kazakhstan's Strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, which is an important step towards decarbonizing the national economy.
During the round table, participants reached a common conclusion that large-scale projects for energy renovation of the housing stock are a viable solution to this problem. The main topics discussed included the initiation, implementation, and management of renovation projects for residential buildings, the qualification of specialists (housing management professionals), and the implementation of pilot projects. The event also featured informative presentations on advanced practices from European Union countries such as Germany and Lithuania, highlighting conceptual approaches to energy modernization processes.
Dr. Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan, expressed warm support for Kazakhstan's ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. He assured the country of the European Union's readiness to share its experience, know-how, and advanced technologies. Kazakhstan's path to a sustainable economy and way of life, where housing is a fundamental human need, requires modern solutions, and the European Union is ready to support this endeavour. It was also noted that there is a need for improvement in legislative norms regarding energy efficiency in buildings.
The round table was organized within the framework of the project "PROMHOUSE - Promotion of Professional Management of the Housing Stock in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan" funded by the European Union. The project coordinator, Larissa Schreckenbach from the Housing Initiative for Eastern Europe, provided detailed information about the project and thanked her colleagues from Kazakhstan for their collaboration.
Saken Makhambetov, Chairman of the Board Association of subjects of management, service and energy services in the housing sector «Shanyrak», announced the results of the work done during 2020-2022. According to him, Kazakhstan is transitioning to the European qualification system.
During the discussion at the round table, Rasul Amerguzhin, the national coordinator of the FELICITY II project in Kazakhstan, talked about increasing energy efficiency in the housing sector and preparing investment projects for the modernization of residential buildings in cities.
Valius Serbenta, an international expert on energy efficiency in building, shared international experience, including the modernization of multi-apartment buildings in Lithuania. Energy efficiency in buildings and the resilience of heating and cooling systems are necessary not only for decarbonization but also for improving public health, enhancing building comfort, and reducing energy costs (tariff reduction).
Tilo Kuntz, Head of the International Construction Department at the German Energy Agency (dena), provided policy tools that can be applied in Kazakhstan to stimulate the renovation of the housing stock and enhance the energy efficiency of buildings.
For additional information, please contact Larissa Schreckenbach schreckenbach@iwoev.org | +49 30 2067 9802