Answer ... Auctions: If a renewable facility is implemented under an auction mechanism, an investor must:
- register with the Kazakhstan Electricity and Power Market Operator’s trading system; and
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obtain applicant status by:
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- concluding an auction services agreement;
- paying a service fee; and
- submitting an application.
Development phase: In the development phase, an investor must apply to local executive bodies in order to obtain a land plot. Appropriate site selection plays a crucial role, as it will determine the economic feasibility of the project and how optimally renewable sources will be used.
Design and survey works are the cornerstone when constructing or reconstructing a renewable facility. An investor can carry out design and survey work once it has obtained permission from the relevant local executive authorities (LEAs). The land use design must be approved by the land relations offices of regions, district and cities. The LEAs of the region, cities of significance to the state, the capital, districts or cities of regional significance will then make a decision on whether to grant the land plot rights. The full state registration of land plot rights is achieved by signing temporary (short-term, long-term, paid, unpaid) land use contracts or land purchase contracts with the LEA.
An investor must submit a request to identify the closest connection point to the relevant energy transmitting organisations, which in turn will provide grid connection points with an appropriate voltage class and ensure that renewable facilities are connected to the grid.
In accordance with the Electricity Grid Rules, grid connection arrangements rely on the availability of three main documents:
- the power delivery scheme;
- the technical conditions; and
- the agreement on the connection of the renewable facilities.
An investor must engage a specialised design company to develop the power delivery scheme. The system operator will approve this document, which will specify the relevant organisation (transmission and/or generation) that will provide grid connection points.
The investor then files an application to obtain technical specifications for grid connection based on the approved power delivery scheme. This is issued by the connecting grid company and contains technical specifications for connection to the network.
The investor must finance all activities required to obtain the technical specifications. The validity period is no less than the time needed to conduct the preliminary project studies and for the design and construction of the renewable energy facility, as identified by current design and construction norms; and it should not exceed three years.
Under the agreement on the connection of the renewable facility, the transmission company must provide the renewable facility with access to the network by providing the connection points outlined in the technical specifications. This agreement is valid from the date on which the technical specifications are finalised to the date of signing of the grid connection act. However, a deadline will be associated with the latter, linked to the commissioning deadlines agreed in the power purchase agreement.
Construction phase: Before construction and installation work begins, the developer must notify the relevant LEAs of the commencement of the construction activity. The major implementation stages of the construction of a renewable facility are as follows:
- obtaining source materials to develop the construction project;
- approving a schematic design;
- developing and approving the feasibility study and project documentation;
- conducting an environmental impact assessment;
- performing construction works;
- commissioning and acceptance of the facility; and
- registering the right to a constructed renewable facility with the state.
Operation phase: Operation of the power plant starts on the date of commencement of a comprehensive test of the electrical installations. This comprehensive test may take place prior to the completion of construction and the issuance of the act of facility acceptance.