Strategically, the timing for Aidarov to take on this role could not be better: the project development of Hyrasia One is progressing rapidly. In May, the crucial pre-FEED phase was successfully finalized, the extensive environmental and social impact assessments are entering their second year and the detailed engineering (the so-called FEED phase) will start in mid-2025. Kropp says: “As the General Director of Hyrasia One, I was able to successfully carry out the tasks of the earlier stages of the project’s development from Germany. However, now that the project has reached the advanced mid-development stage and is moving forward, an industrial project of such national importance as Hyrasia One requires a responsible representative who is permanently on site and who has extensive experience of the country, its people, society, politics, economy and industry. We can think of no better person for the job than Almas Aidarov.”

“I look forward to getting to know the team and the project in the coming weeks. Hyrasia One is not only a tremendous opportunity for our beloved homeland of Kazakhstan, but can also become a lighthouse project for the Kazakh-German partnership. I am proud to drive this development and to share the responsibility for it,” said Aidarov upon his appointment.

From 2020 to 2023, Mr. Aidarov served as Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan and in this capacity was responsible for the initial discussions between the Kazakh government and SVEVIND Energy Group regarding the Hyrasia One project.