SEFE Securing Energy for Europe will invest in an afforestation project in Kazakhstan. Initially, 1,500 hectares of degraded land will be restored with native tree species by Kazakhstan based carbon project developer SAFC. The project will contribute to emissions’ removal and local biodiversity and will generate an estimated 1.2 million carbon credits over its lifetime.
SAFC will plant on degraded lands near the Kapshagai water reservoir in south-eastern Kazakhstan, around 100 km from the city of Almaty, and undertake the on-ground forestry for the project. The seedlings for the afforestation will be supplied from a dedicated nursery created by SAFC in the vicinity. In addition to the positive ecological effects, the activities will impact the local, social and economic environment of the project by generating job and training opportunities for people in the area.
As project partner, SEFE will provide on top of its capital investment, project design, monitoring, reporting and verification expertise, and marketing services. The investment will form part of SEFE’s growing carbon project portfolio being developed to service its customers’ and own sustainability goals.
Alexander Demidov, Executive Vice President Portfolio Management at SEFE highlights: “SEFE is committed to becoming a European energy major in the global low-carbon economy. Investing in high-quality carbon removal projects such as this will form a key component of meeting our collective Paris-aligned climate goals. This project will help SEFE and its customers achieve their sustainability goals by producing over one million tonnes of emission removals and associated offsets.”
SAFC CEO and founder Yuriy Kim comments: “SAFC is delighted to be partnering with SEFE to develop this flagship carbon project in Kazakhstan. This project is supported by the President of Kazakhstan and the National Chamber of entrepreneurs, and we are now starting its practical implementation. By combining the expertise of SEFE and SAFC we will demonstrate the significant opportunities for Kazakhstan to attract foreign investment to develop and deliver high-quality nature-based carbon projects. We look forward to further expanding the scope of the project and our collaboration with SEFE within the framework of the cluster development program supported by the government and development organizations of Kazakhstan.”
About SEFE
SEFE, an international energy company, ensures the security of supply and drives the decarbonisation of its customers. SEFE’s activities span the energy value chain, from origination and trading to sales, transport and storage. Through its decades-long expertise in trading and the development of its LNG business, SEFE has become one of the most important suppliers to industrial customers in Europe, with an annual sales volume of 200 TWh of gas and power. Its 50,000 customers range from small businesses to municipalities and multinational organisations. By investing in clean energies and especially in the hydrogen ecosystem, SEFE is contributing to the energy transition. The company employs around 2,000 people globally and is owned by the Federal Government of Germany.
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About SAFC
SAFC is a Kazakhstani company established to implement nature-based carbon projects in Kazakhstan. SAFC's activities span the planting material production, project surveys, afforestation, and R&D in forestry and agriculture sustainability. SAFC is carrying out implementation of decarbonization solutions, including afforestation, agriculture land management and improved pastures, as part of the cluster development program for the agro-industrial sector in the Almaty region.
