32 I Business in... Astana
guaranteed to demand serious global attention. The theme centres on: “Future energy; solutions for tackling humankind’s greatest challenge”, a topic already high on the agenda for modern nations. Alisher Pirmetov, first deputy chairman of Astana Expo 2017, spoke of the awesome responsibility of such a project, saying: “This subject is very relevant for all civilisations in light of the ecological problems throughout the world. Gaining a rational understanding of our natural resources is the most important topic right now. “Our view is that Expo 2017 will be the place to view all the modern technologies to come with regards to replenishing energy resources and alternative energy sources. This is the place where we shall look into the future and see what revolutionary technologies we’re going to use. Expo 2017 will not only reveal current problems, but will give the opportunity to offer solutions.”
The dome is the “pearl of the expo”, and will be
the largest sphere in the world with a diameter of 80 metres – overtaking the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm. Inside, eight floors will be dedicated to exhibitions on different sources of renewable energy: wind, solar, kinetic, biomass, space, hydroelectric, geothermal and nuclear. An international committee comprising two Nobel Laureates has overseen the projects. Orbiting the magnificent globe, the Astana Expo City 2017 sprawls out across 174 hectares. Designed by US firm Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture, the site comprises 28 buildings, including 18 U-shaped international pavilions, the largest shopping mall in Central Asia, a 1,000-seat theatre, a five-star hotel, plus office and residential blocks. In keeping with the theme, green energy sources
have been weaved into the construction of the project, such as photovoltaic panels to control the temperature (Astana suffers from extreme lows in winter of up to -30˚C, and can reach a scorching 40 degrees in summer) as well as wind turbines and geothermal technology to generate clean electricity. Future technologies employed will aim for each building to run on 30-40 per cent renewable energy, while some buildings will enjoy up to 75 per cent clean energy. At a time when scientific reports increasingly suggest
environmental issues are reaching critical levels, the convention is big news for all. But Expo 2017 is also an important chance for Kazakhstan – and Astana in particular – to showcase its new modern identity on the global stage and position itself as a future centre for green energy. There is some irony in the fact that Kazakhstan’s economy is so heavily dependent on oil and gas, but at the same time this reveals the bold ambitions fostered by the country’s leaders. First deputy Pirmetov states: “We are known for having rich deposits of natural energy but we absolutely support advancing the use of
NOVEMBER 2016
renewable resources. In our country there are already a lot of projects under way on natural energy. We hope Expo 2017 will breathe new life into these projects that are already running.”
Clockwise from above: Expo 2017’s huge dome under construction; a rendering of the whole site with the city centre in the distance; and the ornate Opera Theatre
ECONOMIC EVOLUTION There’s also plenty of economic incentive for the country to reinvent itself. Being an oil and commodity- based economy has created serious problems, with wild fluctuations in world commodity prices causing a major devaluation of the currency. This has not been helped by the Kazakh tenge also being pegged to the unstable Russian rouble. Pirmetov discussed how the government is managing the costs of the project – which is reported to have risen to US$3 billion – by turning largely to local companies to dampen the impact of currency devaluation. This has in turn stimulated the local economy, with 254 local firms contracted so far. Sponsorship from both local and international firms has also contributed a sum of Ð100 million (US$111.5 million) to the project. Organisers are expecting between three and five million visitors, with up to 15 per cent coming from international destinations and participation already confirmed by 101 countries including Germany, Japan, Singapore and the UK – although notably both the
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