Knowledge of Energy Resources and Next Generation Energy Choice Behaviour: A Case Study of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Renewable energy (RE) is key to averting the climate crisis, and public support is central to its successful implementation. In this study, we examined the impact that knowledge of energy policy and energy issues has on public support for different energy types. This was achieved through the use of an online survey of residents of Kazakhstan. As a resource-rich developing country with a history of nuclear testing, Kazakhstan provides an interesting case study. In this paper, we statistically analyze the effect of individual knowledge of energy policy on the choice behavior for next-generation energy, including RE, in Kazakhstan. First, those who support fossil fuel power generation knew that Kazakhstan has abundant natural gas reserves, and those who support wind and solar power generation were aware that Kazakhstan has huge potential for such forms of power generation. It was clear that knowledge of the positive and negative aspects of fossil fuel, nuclear, wind and solar power generation had an impact on the preferences of the respondents. Second, the reasons given for supporting RE included: unlike fossil fuels, there was no danger of them being exhausted; the rise in adoption of RE technology globally; reduction in carbon dioxide emissions; and, addressing climate change. Third, although many women were aware of the advantages and disadvantages of RE, there were high levels of both support and opposition. Respondents with lower income and lower educational attainment tended to oppose RE. People living in East Kazakhstan, the site of nuclear tests, tended to support RE, but due to the high rates of subsidy to the price of electricity, many people preferred the status quo. Finally, preference for next-generation energy in Kazakhstan was associated with higher awareness of the need to protect the global environment.