Gulshat — Kazakhstan

Gulshat is a 40 MW solar power plant in Qaraghandy, Kazakhstan. It is operated by Risen Energy Co Ltd [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 17k homes (estimated). It ranks #79 of 80 Kazakhstan power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2018, it is around 8 years old — recently built. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, solar supplies about 1.6% of Kazakhstan's electricity; the national grid averages 805 gCO₂/kWh (14.9% low-carbon) (2025).

Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WKS0073252.

Data provenance

Source of the capacity and fuel values:

capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000800977; fuel: WRI GPPD

In context: how this plant compares

At 40 MW, Gulshat is below the median solar plant in Kazakhstan (50 MW). Technically it is described as PV. Solar PV converts sunlight directly into electricity with no moving parts or fuel; output varies by time of day and weather, so it pairs with storage or flexible backup.

Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.

Key facts

Share of Kazakhstan solar capacity

14.8% of 270 MW across 5 plants in this dataset

Age among peers

1 of 4 dated solar plants in Kazakhstan is older

Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).

Capacity vs largest solar plants in Kazakhstan

Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).

Owner

Operated by Risen Energy Co Ltd [100%].

Local climate & thermal context

This solar plant converts sunlight directly into electricity with photovoltaic panels. It sits in a cold semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen BSk) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 46.7°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.

Monthly mean temperature

Heating degree-days here run 91% above the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.

Climate heat-demand index: 92/100 — this site sits in the top third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.

Solar PV loses ~0.35%/°C above 25°C cell temperature — roughly 0.0% at warm-season highs here (estimate).

Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.

Site climate & environmental severity

This site sits in a benign, low-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C1 — Very low), with thermal cycling the leading environmental stress.

Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.

How it compares & nearby plants

The #4 largest solar power plant of 5 in Kazakhstan by capacity.

Kazakhstan has 5 solar power plants in this dataset, together about 270 MW of capacity.

Nearby power plants

• Kazakhmys Balkhash power station · Coal · 120 MW · Qaraghandy
• Balkhash nuclear power plant · Nuclear · 4,800 MW · Karaganda

Location

Coordinates 46.67, 74.335 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.

Frequently asked questions