At the Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, issues of implementing the instructions of the Head of State in light of the entry into force of the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan were considered. Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhanov delivered a report on the development of the fuel and energy complex sectors, modernization of generation, and the pace of gasification of regions.

According to him, within the framework of implementing the President’s strategic tasks, the ministry is carrying out systematic work to increase the country’s energy potential. As of today, Kazakhstan’s energy system, taking into account commissioned facilities, includes 254 energy sources, of which 172 belong to renewable energy sources. The total installed capacity of all facilities is 27.1 GW. The main part of the generation structure falls on traditional sources: coal-fired power plants provide 13.7 GW, gas-fired – 7.1 GW, large hydroelectric power plants – 2.5 GW. At the same time, the total capacity of renewable energy facilities has reached 3.8 GW.

Last year, electricity production volumes in the republic reached a historic maximum, amounting to 123.1 billion kWh with consumption at 124.6 billion kWh. This year, not only the planned indicators are expected to be met, but also last year’s results exceeded – according to the ministry’s forecasts, electricity generation will grow to 126.5 billion kWh. Overall, the country has seen a steady trend toward reducing the gap between electricity production and consumption.

“Within the framework of the Energy Sector Development Plan until 2035, work is actively continuing on the commissioning of additional generating capacities totaling more than 26.3 GW. Thus, by 2029 inclusive, 13.3 GW of new capacity will be commissioned, of which 7.4 GW will be base generation and 5.9 GW will be renewable energy facilities. Of this volume, 12.56 GW will be completely new generating facilities, and 0.74 GW will be used to replace existing capacities. This will allow fully covering the overall electricity needs of the economy starting from early 2027, and subsequently forming a stable surplus,” Yerlan Akkenzhanov emphasized.

The formation of a power reserve by 2029 will make it possible to fully meet the growing needs of the population and the real sector, including the creation of energy-intensive artificial intelligence infrastructure and the placement of large data centers. The need to build new facilities is determined based on the ministry’s systemic calculations, taking into account the projected growth in consumption. Plans are promptly updated based on constant monitoring and analytical assessment of the economy’s current needs.

In parallel, the ministry is implementing the National Project for the Development of Coal Generation Based on Clean Coal Technologies while complying with all requirements of environmental legislation. The document provides for the implementation of a pool of investment projects with a total installed capacity of about 7.8 GW. The key facilities include the construction of Ekibastuz GRES-3, a thermal power plant in the city of Kurchatov, as well as three new combined heat and power plants in the cities of Kokshetau, Semey, and Ust-Kamenogorsk, for which the ministry provides full control. In total, 19 projects are included in the National Project, of which 8 are new, and 11 are aimed at expanding and modernizing existing productions.

An important area of work remains the gasification of the country, which is being carried out within the framework of the General Scheme until 2035. As of January 1, 2026, the level of gasification of Kazakhstan reached 64.2%, and 13.1 million people gained access to blue fuel. In 2026, the development of the gas transportation system continues through the implementation of 40 projects, of which 7 are carry-over and 33 are new.

To provide gas to the northern regions, on October 9, 2025, a memorandum was signed between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and PJSC “Gazprom” for the implementation of the project to build the Ishim – Astana main gas pipeline. This project will make it possible to organize reliable gas supply to the cities of Astana, Kokshetau, and Petropavlovsk, as well as to diversify the routes for natural gas supplies to the north of the country. Provided that regional projects are timely financed by local executive bodies and the construction of the Ishim – Astana gas pipeline is completed, the level of gasification of the republic is planned to be brought to 80%.

#Energy #Government session

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