Climate change mitigation requires systemic transformations in the energy sector, particularly through the integration of energy systems across technological and spatial levels. This study aims to assess the potential of energy system integration as a tool for sustainable development planning and climate change mitigation, with a focus on Kazakhstan. The research employs a mixed qualitative–quantitative approach combining a structured literature review with an expert survey involving 48 specialists in the fields of energy, climate policy, and sustainable development. The collected data were analyzed using ranking procedures, Pearson’s chi-squared test, and Kendall’s concordance coefficient to ensure the consistency and reliability of expert evaluations. The results identify three key models of energy system integration: intelligent system operation and aggregation, cross-vector integration, and Power-to-X technologies. The main advantages include improved resource efficiency, decarbonization, and enhanced system reliability. In addition, three core components of integrated energy systems are highlighted: closed-loop production, electrification of end-use sectors, and the use of low-emission renewable fuels, including hydrogen. The findings demonstrate that energy system integration can serve as an effective instrument for sustainable development planning by increasing the flexibility, resilience, and environmental performance of energy systems. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing a structured assessment of integration models and their implications for climate policy and regional energy planning. Practical implications include the development of decentralized energy systems, cross-border energy cooperation, and the expansion of renewable energy markets in regions with high resource potential.
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