Kirill Ossin, a Member of the Aktau City Maslikhat* and Head of the Public Organization “EcoMangistau”
*Maslikhat is a local representative body with elected members in Kazakhstan
This article was originally written in Russian. If there are any doubts about the initial meaning, please consult the original version.
This post is lengthy and somewhat analytical, but its importance cannot be overstated. It is addressed to a broad audience: the President of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kassym-Jomart Kemelovich Tokayev; the President of Germany, Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier; current and prospective project investors; the leadership of Hyrasia One; Maslikhat members at all levels in the Mangistau Region; the public; NGOs; and the media.
The purpose of this post is to discuss the project while there is still time to act!
Last year, after the project was launched, I reflected on it here. The initial set of concerns I raised can be found at the provided link, so I won’t repeat them here.
In 2023, the Hyrasia One project was publicly unveiled. This €50 billion investment aims to produce green hydrogen in the Mangistau Region. (The project involves constructing wind and solar power plants in western Kazakhstan with a total capacity of 40 GW, producing up to 2 million tons of green hydrogen annually from Caspian Sea water for export to the European Union—Editor’s Note.)
I am part of an international group of experts monitoring this project. Just recently, we discussed several alarming environmental issues linked to its development. To be clear, no one opposes the project itself. It is promising, attractive, and has significant economic and social potential. Only a fool would dismiss it outright. However, from an environmental perspective, critical challenges have already emerged.
1. Where Is the Transparency?
On November 5, the company hosted a semi-public meeting with a brief project presentation. I couldn’t attend, but my colleague was present. Unfortunately, the brochure distributed at the meeting lacked substantive details. While organizers assured participants that all information would be made available upon request, our international expert group is already preparing formal inquiries to obtain further details.
2. Is the Expansion of the Ustyurt Reserve Being Considered?
This remains unclear. Meanwhile, a project to expand the Ustyurt Reserve by 640,000 hectares has already been presented, and a state environmental review has been conducted. How does this align with the Hyrasia One project’s development plans?
3. Why Export Green Hydrogen?
As noted by Exclusive.kz, “The end product—environmentally friendly hydrogen—will be exported to Europe, not supplied to Kazakhstan’s energy grid or industries. In essence, a German plant will be built on Kazakh soil to produce eco-friendly raw materials for European needs.” Why was this project designed with such priorities?
4. Are the Concerns of Local Residents and Environmental Interests Being Addressed?
The conservation of biodiversity is critical, especially in large-scale projects like Hyrasia One, which entails constructing solar and wind farms along with production facilities in the Mangistau Region. While we support green energy development, it must not come at the expense of the region’s ecological stability.
Although stakeholder interests appear to have been addressed, what about the voices of Mangistau residents? Sustainable development is not just about investments but also about preserving the natural heritage and securing the well-being of local communities.
Key Risks
Potential Threat to Biodiversity
The proposed Rahym and Kanagat industrial clusters are of particular concern. They are projected to be located near critical conservation areas: the Ustyurt State Nature Reserve (USNR), the proposed “Southern Ustyurt” cluster of the USNR, and the Southern Ustyurt National Park in neighboring Uzbekistan.
Long-term studies highlight the area east and south of the USNR as a key habitat for the goitered gazelle. It also serves as a migration route for goitered gazelles, kulan, Persian leopards, and as seasonal pathways for several protected raptor species, including the steppe eagle.
The placement of these clusters and associated infrastructure (e.g., power lines and car roads) poses risks of irreparable damage to desert ecosystems, migration disruptions for rare species, fragmentation of ecological corridors, increased poaching, and bird fatalities due to wind turbines.
Violation of the Aarhus Convention
Kazakhstan ratified the Aarhus Convention in 2000, which mandates public access to environmental information, participation in decision-making, and access to justice. Public involvement at early planning stages is not a mere formality but a vital tool for addressing concerns raised by residents, scientists, and environmentalists, thereby avoiding conflicts.
The past teaches valuable lessons. In Mangistau’s Bozjyra region, widespread public outcry successfully halted a potentially destructive project. (That project involved the construction of a recreational complex in the unique desert valley of Bozjyra—Editor’s Note.) Transparency and dialogue are indispensable.
Erosion of Trust in Green Energy
Green energy projects lose credibility if they harm biodiversity during implementation. Such outcomes undermine trust in these initiatives and contradict sustainable development principles.
Having worked with international financial institutions since 2013, I can attest that reputable investors require a thorough Due Diligence Report before proceeding. This report assesses legal, financial, environmental, and social aspects of a project. Undoubtedly, the issues raised in this post will be included in such an analysis.
What Needs to Be Done Now?
- Conduct a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and ensure its findings are accessible to the public.
- Organize public hearings involving residents, ecologists, environmentalists, and other stakeholders.
- Publish complete project details, including environmental and social risks.
- Develop and present mitigation measures to protect biodiversity.
- Consider relocating project sites to minimize environmental harm.
A Call to Action for Mangistau Residents
Dear Fellow Residents,
The Hyrasia One project presents significant investment and development opportunities for our region. However, it also poses substantial ecological risks that could irreparably damage our unique natural environment.
Mangistau is not just our home; it is a sanctuary for rare species such as goitered gazelles, kulan, and Persian leopards. Every plant and bird plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem. We cannot allow this balance to be disrupted due to a lack of transparency or public engagement.
Now is the time to act!
We must:
- Demand a transparent environmental review of the project.
- Insist on public hearings that include residents, scientists, and environmentalists.
- Protect critical biodiversity areas, such as the Ustyurt Reserve and ecological corridors.
Your voice matters. The future of our region depends on all of us. Only through collective effort can we preserve Mangistau’s unique natural heritage for future generations. Join the discussion, ask questions, and participate in conservation initiatives.
Mangistau is our home, and it is our responsibility to safeguard its treasures!
