Regional
Energy Forum

POWER CENTRAL
ASIA - CHINA

June 16–17, 2025
Astana, Kazakhstan,
Hilton Astana

Registration
Join the meeting

The Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan respectfully invites you to participate in the 1st Regional Energy Forum Power Central Asia – China 2025, which will take place on June 16 - 17, 2025, in Astana, at the Hilton Astana.

The Forum is part of the official program of the Central Asia – China summit and will serve as a key platform for strategic dialogue among:

  • Governments of the region
  • International organizations
  • Leading corporations
  • Representatives of the scientific and expert community

The Forum will focus on justenergy transition, industrialization, investment cooperation, and human capital development as the foundation for a sustainable energy future in Central Asia.

We invite to participate:

  • Representatives of public authorities and diplomatic missions
  • International financial institutions
  • Companies from the fuel and energy sector
  • Research and academic organizations

We would be delighted to see you among the participants of Power Central Asia – China 2025!

Dear Colleagues,

The Power Central Asia – China Forum is set to become a key platform for open dialogue between governments, international organizations, businesses, and the expert community. The forum will focus on the professionalization of the energy sector, issues of a just energy transition, industrialization, and the establishment of sustainable investment partnerships in the region.

We view the future of Central Asia through the lens of technological modernization, based on the development of sectoral centers of competence and the professionalization of the energy industry. This is a strategic path toward sustainable growth and energy security for the entire region.

Priority Areas of Forum Discussions:

1

Investments and Green Economy

Green bonds, international development banks, investment and climate funds.

2

Human Capital Development

Industry competence centres , professionalization of the sector, research and development (R&D) centers, youth programs, and academic cooperation.

3

Water and Energy Security

Creation of regional alliances, enhancing the resilience of energy systems, development of high-voltage direct current lines (HVDC) and pumped-storage power station (PSPS).

4

Decarbonization and JustEnergy Transition

Social sustainability, ESG principles, renewable energy sources (RES), production and application of green hydrogen.

5

Digital Transformation and Innovation

Smart grids, robotics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital twin technologies.

6

Strategy, Policy, and Regulation

Transformation of national energy programs, development of regional energy diplomacy and regulatory coordination mechanisms.

7

Regional Cooperation and Market Integration

Formation of a unified energy space, development of energy infrastructure and intergovernmental integration mechanisms.

8

Industrialization and Localization of Production

Transfer and adaptation of advanced technologies, government support measures, and stimulation of local production.

9

Petrochemicals and Low-Carbon Processing

Application of low-carbon technologies in the oil and gas sector, the future of petrochemicals amid climate challenges.

AIM OF THE FORUM

To establish a regional platform for discussing prospects of energy cooperation between the Central Asian states and the People's Republic of China, to foster strategic partnerships, promote technologies and investment in just energy transition, digitalization, and sustainable industrial development.

FORUM STRUCTURE

23

panel sessions

10

round tables

45

B2B, G2B and G2G meetings

Regional exhibition

Agreement signing ceremony

Gala dinner and cultural program

Key Topics:

RES and Energy Systems:

Integration of clean energy, digital planning, load and infrastructure management

HVDC and Power Transmission:

Innovations in high-voltage
lines and cross-border interconnections

PSPS and Energy Storage:

RES balancing projects, hybrid
technologies, and China’s expertise

Digitalization and Smart Grids:

Digital substations, IoT, Big Data,
cybersecurity

Industrialization and Localization:

Kazakhstan as an industrial hub, government support measures,
venture and equity financing

Decarbonization and ESG:

Carbon neutrality, ESG standards,
green construction

Investments and Financing Models:

PPP, IPP, BOT, EPC+F, participation of IFIs
and private investors

Hydrogen and Emerging Technologies:

Low-carbon technologies, hydrogen (H₂), CCUS,
coal chemistry

Science, Human Resources, and Technology Transfer:

Centers of excellence,
academic cooperation, R&D

TRR – Hard-to-Recover reserves:

Application of innovation methodologies
in the oil and gas sector.

The Program

Dates:

June 16–17, 2025

Location:

Astana,
Hilton Astana Hotel

Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Partners:

China Southern Power Grid, PowerChina

Working languages:

Russian, Chinese, English

DAY 1

Monday, June 16, 2025, Hilton Astana Hotel

08:30 – 09:30

Registration

09:30 – 10:00

Welcome Coffee Break

10:00 – 11:00

Plenary session and official opening of the Forum in the Grand Ballroom.

Moderator of the Plenary Session:
Zhandos Nurmaganbetov - Director General of the KAZENERGY Association.

The Power Central Asia + China Forum is ceremoniously opened with a plenary session featuring key representatives of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and top executives of the largest energy corporations from China and Kazakhstan. Speakers will present the strategic vision for the development of the energy sector, regional cooperation, decarbonization and industrialization.

Speakers of the Plenary Session:

Erlan Kudaybergenovich Akkengenov
– Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Zhang Heng
– Chairman of the Board of China Southern Power Grid International Co., Ltd.

Sanjar Serikbayevich Zharkeshov
– Chairman of the Board of JSC NC QazaqGaz

Ding Yang Zhang
– Chairman of the Board of Power China

Nabi Yerkynovich Aitjanov
– Chairman of the Board of JSC KEGOC

Lyu Zexiang
– Chairman of the Board of China Energy International Group Co., Ltd

11:00 – 11:10

Ceremony of signing of commercial documents in the presence of the Minister of Energy of the RK (Grand Ballroom)

11:20 – 12:20

Hall: Grand Ballroom

Panel Session Topic:
Energy Transition in Action: Transforming Kazakhstan’s Energy Sector
(This session focuses on practical steps for decarbonizing Kazakhstan's energy sector — from the national strategy and renewables to corporate solutions and technological innovations.)

Hall: Astana Hall

Panel Session Topic:
Investments in Resilience of Central Asia’s Power Systems
(This session is devoted to financing issues for the development of sustainable infrastructure and energy in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.)

12:20 – 12:40

Coffee break

12:40 – 13:40

Panel Session Topic:
Just Energy Transition: National Priorities and International Partnership
(This session is devoted to national policies and international experiences in implementing a just energy transition, including ADB support, renewable energy development, the role of state companies, and cross-border interaction.)

Panel Session Topic:
Kazakhstan as an Industrial Hub of the Energy Transition: Localization and Competence
(This session covers key programs and projects of state support for the localization of Chinese production in Kazakhstan.)

13:50 – 14:50

Panel Session Topic:
Strategy, Policy and Regulation
(This session focuses on strategic, legal and institutional aspects of energy cooperation between Central Asian countries and China, including regulation issues, “green” corridors and cross-border initiatives.)

Panel Session Topic:
Financing of Large Projects in Kazakhstan: Strategies and Financial Institutions
(This session focuses on key instruments for financing large projects in Kazakhstan — from project and export financing to bonds, ESG ratings, and strategic partnerships with banks and international institutions.)

14:50 – 15:50

Lunch break

15:50 – 16:50

Panel Session Topic:
Roadmap for Decarbonization and Decentralization of Energy
(This session is devoted to the development and implementation of Kazakhstan's decarbonization and energy digitalization roadmap, focusing on support for industry enterprises, ESG financing and international technological cooperation.)

Panel Session Topic:
Support for Domestic Production: Incentives and Success Stories
(This session is devoted to government support instruments for industry in Kazakhstan and opportunities for investors.)

17:00 – 18:00

Panel Session Topic:
Next-Generation Renewable Energy Technologies
(This session is devoted to technological breakthroughs in renewables — from perovskite solar panels and energy storage to new solutions in pumped-storage generation. Approaches of leading Chinese companies are presented.)

Panel Session Topic:
Integration of Renewables into the Power System: Energy Storage Technologies
(This session focuses on technological solutions for integrating renewable energy into the power system — including energy storage, pumped-storage plants, UHV lines and digital approaches to ensuring energy supply resilience.)

18:00 – 18:20

Coffee break

18:20 – 19:20

Panel Session Topic:
Industry Competence Center: Technology Transfer, Workforce and R&D
(This session focuses on the implementation of the National Project “Modernization of Energy and Utilities” as a key tool for technological renewal of Kazakhstan’s infrastructure. Participants will discuss strategic directions for the development of the energy sector and utilities.)

Panel Session Topic:
Innovative Solutions in Pumped Storage: Transformation of Energy and Water Infrastructure
(This session is devoted to the development of new-generation pumped-storage plants as a key tool for integrating renewables, water resource management, and enhancing the resilience of power systems.)

DAY 2

Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Hilton Astana Hotel

10:00 – 11:00

Hall: Grand Ballroom

Panel Session Topic:
Power Grid Development: HVDC, Regional Integration and New Opportunities
(This session focuses on cutting-edge power transmission technologies (HVDC, VSC), interconnections between power grids of Central Asian countries and China, as well as regulatory issues and the investment attractiveness of grid infrastructure.)

Hall: Astana Hall

Panel Session Topic:
Innovations in Flexible Generation: New Equipment and Engineering
(This session focuses on new technological solutions in pumped-storage power plants, including hybrid models, innovative engineering approaches, and equipment ensuring sustainable energy consumption at a high share of renewables.)

11:00 – 11:20

Coffee break

11:20 – 12:20

Panel Session Topic:
National Project: Energy Modernization
(This session focuses on the implementation of the National Project “Modernization of Energy and Utilities” as a key tool for technological renewal of Kazakhstan’s infrastructure. Participants will discuss strategic directions for the development of the energy sector and utilities.)

Panel Session Topic:
Digital Transformation: Flexibility, Reliability and AI Capabilities
(This session focuses on the digital transformation of the electrical grid complex, including digital substation technologies, UHV, intelligent control, the application of AI, and digital planning in the field of renewables. Best practices from China Southern Power Grid and PowerChina are presented.)

12:30 – 13:30

Panel Session Topic:
Scientific and Institutional Basis for Hydro Energy: Atlas, Modeling and R&D
(This session is devoted to building the scientific and organizational infrastructure for hydro power development in Kazakhstan — from creating an atlas of prospective hydroelectric and pumped-storage plants to training engineering personnel, digital modeling and international cooperation in R&D.)

Panel Session Topic:
“OT Cybersecurity in the Fuel and Energy Sector: Global Challenges and Solutions”
(This session is devoted to protecting OT infrastructure in the fuel and energy sector from modern cyber threats. Global trends, audit findings, governmental initiatives, and the role of industry centers in ensuring the resilience of critical assets are discussed.)

13:30 – 14:30

Lunch break

14:30 – 15:30

Panel Session Topic:
Hydrogen – the New Oil of Industrialization: Technologies, Projects and International Cooperation
(This session is devoted to the development of hydrogen energy as the foundation of a new industrial policy. It covers technologies for producing hydrogen from renewables, large-scale infrastructure solutions, the involvement of national companies, and the formation of an export-oriented partnership between Kazakhstan and China.)

Panel Session Topic:
Smart Grids and AI: Architecture of New Energy
(This session focuses on the digital transformation of power grids: from substations to predictive management and AI.)

15:40 – 16:40

Panel Session Topic:
“Kazakhstan’s Oil and Gas Chemistry: Polyethylene, Butadiene, PET and Urea Projects, State Role and Industrial Opportunities”
(This session is devoted to the development of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas chemical sector, with emphasis on current polyethylene and butadiene projects, and the role of the state and industrial companies in forming an export-oriented industry.)

16:40 – 17:00

Coffee break

17:00 – 18:00

Signing and Closing Ceremony (Hilton Astana Hotel, Grand Ballroom)

General Partners

Partners