Abstract
Historically dependent on traditional energy sources and motivated by global decarbonisation trends as well as given a rising attention to unconventional energy sources, Kazakhstan and Russia have had diversified energy portfolios. This article presents a comparative review of renewable energy legislation in Kazakhstan and Russia focusing on legislative frameworks that formed the integration and scale-up of renewable energy sources in the two resource-rich countries. The study tracks the evolution of renewable energy agenda in both countries and highlights key energy legislative acts and strategic goals. The analysis reveals that Kazakhstan has achieved significant growth in solar and wind energy capacity and generation and demonstrated policy consistency and commitment whereas Russia's progress has been incremental. Supported with renewable energy potential, capacity and generation dynamics by type, the comparative analysis offers insights into legislative and policy measures and serves as an introduction to the renewable energy context of respective countries.