The impact of renewable energy implementation on agricultural sustainability in the context of climate change

Aigerim Ibrayeva, Karlygash Kondykerova, Saniya Sarsenova, Fatima Kukeyeva, Klara Makasheva
Received: 10.01.2025 Revised: 04.08.2025 Accepted: 27.08.2025
Retrieved from Vol. 28, No. 8, 2025 Pages: 149-164
Download article Read article

Abstract

This study was aimed at exploring the potential of renewable energy sources (RES) in enhancing the resilience of agriculture to climate change, with a focus on the applicability of these technologies in the context of Kazakhstan. The study was based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the current state of the sector, comparative analysis of renewable energy technologies, examination of practical cases, and assessment of the applicability in the Republic of Kazakhstan. As a result of the study, it was found that RES, such as solar, wind, and biogas energy, had significant potential for increasing the resilience of agriculture in the context of climate change. It was established that these technologies effectively reduced the dependence of the agricultural sector on fossil fuels, which was particularly valuable for remote regions. It was emphasised that a 2 kW system could generate 6-10 kWh per day in sunny regions such as Turkestan or Almaty regions, where insolation reached 1,500-1,800 kWh/m² per year, and 1-10 kW turbines could generate 2-20 kWh per day in windy areas such as Kostanay and Akmola, where wind speeds reached 5-7 m/s. The study also revealed that in Kazakhstan, from 2020 to 2024, electricity generation from RES increased from 3.24 billion kWh to 7.581 billion kWh. It was noted that such energy sources contributed to climate adaptation by ensuring reliable energy supply for irrigation in arid zones or heating during unstable seasons, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions, thereby lowering the environmental burden on the agricultural sector. For Kazakhstan, this opened up prospects for increasing yields due to stable access to energy, reducing dependence on fuel imports, and improving environmental performance, especially considering that from 2020 to 2024, the cost of RES decreased from USD 0.057 to USD 0.04 for solar energy and from USD 0.039 to USD 0.03 for wind energy, while coal and gas ranged from USD 0.04-0.25 with a peak in 2022. Thus, RES addressed current problems and also created a foundation for the long-term sustainable development of agriculture, which was especially important in the context of climate risks

Keywords

solar energy; wind turbines; biogas plants; energy supply to remote areas; social and environmental benefits; economic efficiency

  1. Agbor, M.E., Udo, S.O., Ewona, I.O., Nwokolo, S.C., Ogbulezie, J.C., & Amadi, S.O. (2023). Potential impacts of climate change on global solar radiation and PV output using the CMIP6 model in West Africa. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 13, article number 100630. doi: 10.1016/j.clet.2023.100630.
  2. Akhmetkaliyeva, S. (2025). A promising green energy resource in Kazakhstan: Solar power. Retrieved from https://www.eurasian-research.org/publication/a-promising-green-energy-resource-in-kazakhstan-solar-power/.
  3. Alengebawy, A., Ran, Y., Osman, A. I., Jin, K., Samer, M., & Ai, P. (2024). Anaerobic digestion of agricultural waste for biogas production and sustainable bioenergy recovery: A review. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 22, 2641-2668. doi: 10.1007/s10311-024-01789-1.
  4. Aliyev, S., Hasanov, R.I., Aghayeva, K., Gasimov, J.Y., & Ahmadova, S.E. (2024). The relationship between renewable energy consumption and economic growth: Insights from Iceland and Azerbaijan. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 14(5), 229-235. doi: 10.32479/ijeep.16490.
  5. Augustyn, G., Mikulik, J., Rumin, R., & Szyba, M. (2021). Energy self-sufficient livestock farm as the example of agricultural hybrid off-grid system. Energies, 14(21), article number 7041. doi: 10.3390/en14217041.
  6. Bathaei, A., & Štreimikienė, D. (2023). Renewable energy and sustainable agriculture: Review of indicators. Sustainability, 15(19), article number 14307. doi: 10.3390/su151914307.
  7. Bialkovska, О., Ivanyshyn, V., Shterma, T., Sikora, O., & Kryzhanivskyi, V. (2025). Economic aspects of the introduction of renewable energy sources in the agro-industrial complex. Ekonomika APK, 32(3), 83-96. doi: 10.32317/ekon.apk/3.2025.83.
  8. BloombergNEF. (2025). New Energy Outlook 2024. Retrieved from https://about.bnef.com/new-energy-outlook/.
  9. Bureau of National Statistics Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (n.d.). Environmental indicators for environmental monitoring and assessment. Retrieved from https://stat.gov.kz/ru/ecologic-indicators/.
  10. Chen, Y., Guo, M., Liu, Y., Wang, D., Zhuang, Z., & Quan, M. (2023). Energy, exergy, and economic analysis of a centralized solar and biogas hybrid heating system for rural areas. Energy Conversion and Management, 276, article number 116591. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.116591.
  11. Concept for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2021-2030. (2021, December). Retrieved from https://baiterek.gov.kz/ru/programs/obnovlenie-na-sayte-kontseptsii-apk-1-pg-2024g.
  12. Draft Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Amendments and Additions to Some Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Development of Alternative Energy Sources”. (2025, April). Retrieved from https://online.zakon.kz/Document/?doc_id=37611352&utm&pos=6;-106#pos=6;-106.
  13. Environmental Protection Agency. (2025). Emission factors for greenhouse gas inventories. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-01/ghg-emission-factors-hub-2025.pdf.
  14. Esenzhol, D., Abdirova, M., & Bakhtiyar, B. (2023). Application of biogas in energy industries. Bulletin of KazATC, 124(1), 425-432. doi: 10.52167/1609-1817-2023-124-1-425-432.
  15. Food and Agriculture Organization. (2018). The future of food and agriculture Alternative pathways to 2050. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/2c6bd7b4-181e-4117-a90d-32a1bda8b27c/content.
  16. Food and Agriculture Organization. (2021). Statistical pocketbook: World food and agriculture. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/7b052d6a-c825-4587-a920-d1efbf3f7eb5/content.
  17. Food and Agriculture Organization. (2024). World food and agriculture – statistical pocketbook 2024. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/0a7ee571-50ba-4906-b39f-cb6fd5d2181f.
  18. Food and Agriculture Organization. (n.d.a). Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/statistics/data-releases/.
  19. Food and Agriculture Organization. (n.d.b). Emissions totals. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/GT.
  20. Ganjei, N., Zishan, F., Alayi, R., Samadi, H., Jahangiri, M., Kumar, R., & Mohammadian, A. (2022). Designing and sensitivity analysis of an off‐grid hybrid wind‐solar power plant with diesel generator and battery backup for the rural area in Iran. Journal of Engineering, 2022(1), article number 4966761. doi: 10.1155/2022/4966761.
  21. International Energy Agency. (2022). Kazakhstan 2022 energy sector review. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/kazakhstan-2022.
  22. International Energy Agency. (2023a). Tracking SDG7: The energy progress report, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/tracking-sdg7-the-energy-progress-report-2023.
  23. International Energy Agency. (2023b). World energy outlook 2023. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023.
  24. International Energy Agency. (2024). CO2 emissions in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/co2-emissions-in-2023.
  25. International Renewable Energy Agency. (2016). Renewable energy benefits: Measuring the economics. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/publications/2016/Jan/Renewable-Energy-Benefits-Measuring-the-Economics.
  26. International Renewable Energy Agency. (2019). Future of solar photovoltaic. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/publications/2019/Nov/Future-of-Solar-Photovoltaic.
  27. International Renewable Energy Agency. (2021). Energy profile of Kenya. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Statistics/Statistical_Profiles/Africa/Kenya_Africa_RE_SP.pdf.
  28. International Renewable Energy Agency. (2023a). Renewable energy and jobs: Annual review 2023. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/publications/2023/Sep/Renewable-Energy-and-Jobs-Annual-Review-2023.
  29. International Renewable Energy Agency. (2023b). World energy transitions outlook 2023: 1.5°C pathway. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/Publications/2023/Jun/World-Energy-Transitions-Outlook-2023.
  30. International Renewable Energy Agency. (2024a). Renewable power generation costs in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/Publications/2024/Sep/Renewable-Power-Generation-Costs-in-2023.
  31. International Renewable Energy Agency. (2024b). Renewable energy statistics 2024. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/Publications/2024/Jul/Renewable-energy-statistics-2024.
  32. International Renewable Energy Agency. (n.d.). Statistics data. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/Data.
  33. Iurchenko, M., Nyzhnychenko, Y., Rudyk, N., Zolotarova, O., & Stakhurska, S. (2024). Harnessing renewable energy for sustainable economic growth and environmental resilience. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 7(3), s52-s69. doi: 10.33002/nr2581.6853.0703ukr03.
  34. Karlilar Pata, S., & Pata, U.K. (2025). Comparative analysis of the impacts of solar, wind, biofuels and hydropower on load capacity factor and sustainable development index. Energy, 319, article number 134991. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.134991.
  35. Karlilar Pata, S., Pata, U.K., & Wang, Q. (2025). Ecological power of energy storage, clean fuel innovation, and energy-related research and development technologies. Renewable Energy, 241, article number 122377. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.122377.
  36. Korem. (n.d.). Annual reports. Retrieved from https://www.korem.kz/eng/o_kompanii/godovye_otchety/.
  37. Laljebaev, M., Isaev, R., & Saukhimov, A. (2022). Renewable energy in Central Asia: Potential, utilization, prospects and barriers. Retrieved from https://www.ucentralasia.org/media/ucflputa/uca-ippa-wp71vozobnovlyaemie-istochnikirus.pdf.
  38. Lefore, N., Closas, A., & Schmitter, P. (2021). Solar for all: A framework to deliver inclusive and environmentally sustainable solar irrigation for smallholder agriculture. Energy Policy, 154, article number 112313. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112313.
  39. Majeed, Y., Khan, M.U., Waseem, M., Zahid, U., Mahmood, F., Majeed, F., Sultan, M., & Raza, A. (2023). Renewable energy as an alternative source for energy management in agriculture. Energy Reports, 10, 344-359. doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2023.06.032.
  40. Maradin, D., Cerović, L., & Šegota, A. (2021). The efficiency of wind power companies in electricity generation. Energy Strategy Reviews, 37, article number 100708. doi: 10.1016/j.esr.2021.100708.
  41. Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (n.d.). News. Retrieved from https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/energo/press/news/news/1?lang=ru.
  42. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of India. (2024). Annual report 2023-24. Retrieved from https://mnre.gov.in/en/annual-report-2023-24/.
  43. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of India. (n.d.). Annual reports. Retrieved from https://mnre.gov.in/en/annual-report/.
  44. Moore, S., Graff, H., Ouellet, C., Leslie, S., & Olweean, D. (2022). Can we have clean energy and grow our crops too? Solar siting on agricultural land in the United States. Energy Research & Social Science, 91, article number 102731. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2022.102731.
  45. Nakashydze, L., Gabrinets, V., Mitikov, Y., Alekseyenko, S., & Liashenko, I. (2021). Determination of features of formation of energy supply systems with the use of renewable energy sources in the transition period. Eastern European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 5(8-113), 23-29. doi: 10.15587/1729-4061.2021.243112.
  46. Omarova, A.T., Mazina, A.K., Teczke, M., Kabdullina, G.K., & Srailova, G.N. (2022). Methodical bases of economic evaluation of energy-saving equipment of agriculture. Bulletin of the Karaganda University. Economy Series, 108(4), 198-208. doi: 10.31489/2022Ec4/198-208.
  47. Pascaris, A.S., Schelly, C., Burnham, L., & Pearce, J.M. (2021). Integrating solar energy with agriculture: Industry perspectives on the market, community, and socio-political dimensions of agrivoltaics. Energy Research & Social Science, 75, article number 102023. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2021.102023.
  48. Pizarro-Loaiza, C.A., Antón, A., Torrellas, M., Torres-Lozada, P., Palatsi, J., & Bonmatí, A. (2021). Environmental, social and health benefits of alternative renewable energy sources. Case study for household biogas digesters in rural areas. Journal of Cleaner Production, 297, article number 126722. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126722.
  49. Rahman, M.M., Khan, I., Field, D.L., Techato, K., & Alameh, K. (2022). Powering agriculture: Present status, future potential, and challenges of renewable energy applications. Renewable Energy, 188, 731-749. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2022.02.065.
  50. RES power generation in Kazakhstan increased by 15% over the year. (2022). Retrieved from https://qazaqgreen.com/news/kazakhstan/409/.
  51. Roldán-Porta, C., Roldán-Blay, C., Dasí-Crespo, D., & Escrivá-Escrivá, G. (2023). Optimising a biogas and photovoltaic hybrid system for sustainable power supply in rural areas. Applied Sciences, 13(4), article number 2155. doi: 10.3390/app13042155.
  52. Sadovoy, O., Hruban, V., Fedorchuk, M., & Fedorchuk, V. (2025). Economic efficiency of solar panel implementation in irrigated agriculture: Cost assessment, comparative cost analysis and economic justification. Scientific Bulletin of Mukachevo State University. Series “Economics”, 12(2), 147-162. doi: 10.52566/msu-econ2.2025.147.
  53. Saidmamatov, O., Rudenko, I., Baier, U., & Khodjaniyazov, E. (2021). Challenges and solutions for biogas production from agriculture waste in the Aral Sea Basin. Processes, 9(2), article number 199. doi: 10.3390/pr9020199.
  54. Samruk-Energy. (2025). Overview of the electricity and coal market in Kazakhstan. Retrieved from https://ar2023.samruk-energy.kz/ru/overview-of-the-electricity-and-coal-market-in-kazakhstan.html.
  55. Shahini, E., Shahini, E., & Doda, S. (2025). Forestry and rural development in Albania: Integrating forestry and agricultural practices for a sustainable future in the economy. Ukrainian Journal of Forest and Wood Science, 16(1), 128-148. doi: 10.31548/forest/1.2025.128.
  56. Share of green electricity in Kazakhstan for 2024 amounted to 6.43%. (2025). Retrieved from https://qazaqgreen.com/news/kazakhstan/2513/.
  57. Shorabeh, S.N., Firozjaei, H.K., Firozjaei, M.K., Jelokhani-Niaraki, M., Homaee, M., & Nematollahi, O. (2022). The site selection of wind energy power plant using GIS-multi-criteria evaluation from economic perspectives. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 168, article number 112778. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2022.112778.
  58. Siemens. (n.d.). ESG ratings and reports. Retrieved from https://www.siemensgamesa.com/global/en/home/sustainability/esg-reports.html.
  59. Singh, P., & Kalamdhad, A.S. (2022). Assessment of agricultural residue-based electricity production from biogas in India: Resource-environment-economic analysis. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 54, article number 102843. doi: 10.1016/j.seta.2022.102843.
  60. Statista. (2025). Estimated annual change in the production of bioenergy in Germany from 2019 to 2029. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1605620/forecast-annual-bioenergy-production-change-in-germany/.
  61. Streimikiene, D., Baležentis, T., Volkov, A., Morkūnas, M., Žičkienė, A., & Streimikis, J. (2021). Barriers and drivers of renewable energy penetration in rural areas. Energies, 14(20), article number 6452. doi: 10.3390/en14206452.
  62. Sydykov, S., Alibek, N., Baibolov, A., Tokmoldaev, A., & Kakimbek, I. (2023). Installation on renewable energy sources to maintain microclimate parameters of agricultural facilities. Izdenister Natigeler, 99(3), 336-344. doi: 10.37884/3-2023/34.
  63. Syzdykova, M. (2024). Climate change and its impact on agriculture in Kazakhstan. Retrieved from https://www.inform.kz/ru/klimaticheskie-izmeneniya-i-ih-vozdeystvie-na-selskoe-hozyaystvo-kazahstana-304236.
  64. Tagne, R.F., Dong, X., Anagho, S.G., Kaiser, S., & Ulgiati, S. (2021). Technologies, challenges and perspectives of biogas production within an agricultural context. The case of China and Africa. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23, 14799-14826. doi: 10.1007/s10668-021-01272-9.
  65. Tanchyk, S., Pavlov, O., & Babenko, A. (2024). Theoretical substantiation and development of ecologically friendly farming system in Ukraine. Plant and Soil Science, 15(2), 55-66. doi: 10.31548/plant2.2024.55.
  66. The share of RES in electricity generation in the Republic of Kazakhstan amounted to 5.92% by the end of 2023. (2024). Retrieved from https://qazaqgreen.com/news/kazakhstan/1731/.
  67. United Nations Development Programme. (2022). Kazakhstan boosts its renewable energy investment system. Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/kazakhstan/stories/kazakhstan-boosts-its-renewable-energy-investment-system.
  68. Vestas. (n.d.). Reports & ratings. Retrieved from https://www.vestas.com/en/sustainability/reports-and-ratings.
  69. WindEurope. (2023). Wind Energy in Europe: 2022 statistics and the outlook for 2023-2027. Retrieved from https://windeurope.org/intelligence-platform/product/wind-energy-in-europe-2022-statistics-and-the-outlook-for-2023-2027/.
  70. World Bank. (2025). Annual report 2024. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/home.
  71. World Meteorological Organization. (2024). State of the global climate 2023. Retrieved from https://wmo.int/publication-series/state-of-global-climate-2023.
Ibrayeva, A., Kondykerova, K., Sarsenova, S., Kukeyeva, F., & Makasheva, K. (2025). The impact of renewable energy implementation on agricultural sustainability in the context of climate change. Scientific Horizons, 28(8), 149-164. https://doi.org/10.48077/scihor8.2025.149