STRATEGIC PLANS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN IN THE FIELD OF ENERGY SECURITY: A SUSTAINABLE PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Contemporary research on international relations pays great attention to the study of state policies in ensuring energy security adopted by different countries. In these circumstances, the Republic of Kazakhstan is no exception, being one of the most interesting actors for this kind of analysis – a huge country in Central Asia, has sufficient reserves of natural energy resources – has embarked the path to the development of renewable energy sources. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to analyze the strategic plans of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of energy security with an emphasis on the prospects of sustainable development.      

As a result, this scientific article describes the current state of the country’s energy sector and provides the reasons to undertake an energy transition in the country. The author pays special attention to the implementation of state policy aimed at diversifying energy sources and developing renewable energy sources, referring to key strategic documents, for instance, adopted laws and concepts. The final outcome of this study, is that in the case of the research of the energy security dimensions of Kazakhstan, it is proposed that the country’s energy security depends not so much on the issue of the physical availability of energy resources, but, on the problem of environmental sustainability.