SUSTAINABLE SITING OF WIND FARMS IN KAZAKHSTAN: A CASE STUDY OF THE KARAGANDA REGION

Mussagaliyeva A. Mursal M. Mukayev Z. Zhunussova M.
2025 Editura Universitatii din Oradea

Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites
2025 #63 Issue 4 2860 - 2868 pp.

This study aims to evaluate the environmental and spatial suitability of the planned Giperborey 50 MW wind power plant near Osakarovka in the Karaganda Region of Kazakhstan and to determine whether the site meets technical, ecological and socio-economic requirements for development. The appraisal combined site observations; analysis of climatic records from the nearest Kazhydromet station to characterise wind resource and seasonal extremes; field noise measurements with a class-1 sound level meter and sound-propagation modelling in WindPro; avifaunal monitoring during the autumn migration period and a first-stage Scottish Natural Heritage collision-risk calculation with seasonal adjustment; vegetation and soil transects; line-of-sight and photographic documentation of visual exposure; and an assessment of land use, access routes and proximity to the electrical grid. Instruments were field-calibrated before and after measurements, and visual checks used representative viewpoints at standard observer height. Avian surveys covered peak dawn and dusk period s within defined migration windows. Results indicate favourable wind conditions, with an annual mean speed above approximately 4.7 m/s and limited calm periods; gently undulating steppe on predominantly low-value grazing land; and the absence of critical habitats within the project footprint. Modelled operational noise remains ≤ 55 dB at the nearest residential receptors, and th e 40 dB contour does not extend beyond the project boundary. Compliance held under downwind and neutral stability assumptions applied in the model. Migration counts recorded low use of the rotor-swept zone by high-risk species, and predicted collision totals fall below commonly applied screening thresholds. Visual checks show limited exposure of nearby settlements, and access logistics are feasible via existing roads with minor upgrades. Public interviews indicated neutral-to-positive attitudes associated with expectations of local employment and infrastructure improvement. Overall, under the assessed conditions, the site satisfies the study criteria for environmentally compatible development.

environmental impact assessment , Kazakhstan , renewable energy , spatial planning , wind power plant

Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Shakarim University, Department of Science Disciplines, Semey, Kazakhstan

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Shakarim University

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026