The press service of the government summarized the year in the development of Kazakhstan's energy sector, reports inbusiness.kz.
Amidst growing attention to sustainable development and the global transition to a low-carbon model, Kazakhstan is actively implementing initiatives aimed at ensuring reliable energy supply. With increasing economic activity, electricity consumption is on the rise, necessitating the expansion of production capacities. In 2024, the government has taken significant steps towards the balanced development of traditional and renewable energy sources. The country's energy enterprises ensure stable heat supply for the industrial and residential sectors of the republic. A development plan for the sector has been approved until 2035, which includes the commissioning of at least 26 GW of new capacities.
Development of Kazakhstan's National Electric Grid
As of today, the Unified Electric Power System of Kazakhstan is operating normally. As of January 1, 2024, the total available capacity amounted to 20.4 GW, with an operational capacity of 15.4 GW. The maximum consumption level in the current heating season reached 16.6 GW, while the maximum generation was 15.1 GW.
There are 222 electric stations in Kazakhstan (6 thermal power plants, 41 combined heat and power plants, 14 gas turbine power plants, 7 gas and steam power plants, 6 hydroelectric power plants, and 148 renewable energy sources). Of these, 148 renewable energy facilities (51 small hydroelectric power plants, 54 wind power plants, 42 solar power plants, 1 biomass gas unit) have a total capacity of 2.9 GW.
In 2024, within the framework of the budget program of the Ministry of Energy "Development of Thermal Power Engineering," 58.3 billion tenge was allocated from the republican budget for the implementation of 14 projects (6 for heat supply, 8 for electricity supply). One of the projects, a 110/10 kV substation in the Akzhayik area of Uralsk, has already been put into operation.
Additionally, the annual limit on return investments has been increased from 32 billion tenge to 428 billion tenge. This has allowed for the expansion of the pool of projects for modernization, expansion, and reconstruction of essential equipment for existing energy-producing organizations.
Currently, 22 investment agreements with a total capacity of 2.8 GW are in effect, of which 13 agreements with a total capacity of 1.36 GW were concluded after the limit increase.
In November 2023, the project "Strengthening the Electric Network of the Western Zone of the Unified Energy System of Kazakhstan" was successfully implemented, which included the construction of a 220 kV power transmission line (PTL) stretching 780 km from the Western Kazakhstan energy hub to Atyrau and Mangistau. This step is aimed at enhancing the capacity and reliability of electricity supply.
As the next step, a project for the integration of the electric networks of the Western zone with the Unified Electric Power System will be implemented by the end of 2028, which will involve the construction of a 500 kV PTL with a length of 604 km connecting the Aktobe and Atyrau regions. This will enable the use of maneuverable gas power sources from the Western zone to compensate for imbalances in electricity and capacity in the Northern and Southern zones. Currently, project design documentation is being developed, and construction and installation works are expected to commence in 2025.
Enhancing the reliability of energy supply to consumers in the southern regions and reducing the risks of emergency failures related to the operating modes of energy systems in Central Asian countries requires strengthening the electric networks of the Southern zone (Shu – Zhambyl – Shymkent). Currently, KEGOC has begun the implementation of this project, the first phase of which will be completed by 2027, during which a 500 kV overhead line with a length of 475 km will be constructed along the route Shu – Zhambyl – Shymkent. The design documentation is currently being developed.
To further enhance the connection between the Northern and Southern regions of the country, as well as increase transit potential, the construction of direct current lines "North-South" with a voltage of +/- 500 kV is planned. The transmission capacity will increase by 2000 MW.
There is an ongoing feasibility study for the construction of a direct current line connecting the western and southern zones of the country, which will allow for the closure of the entire Unified Electric Power System of Kazakhstan.
The implementation of these projects will ensure stable and reliable electricity supply, as well as contribute to the development of Kazakhstan's energy infrastructure, ensuring long-term energy security.
Thermal Generation
This year, the first energy block with a capacity of 500 MW of new generation has been connected to the Ekibastuz GRES-1, with an additional 65 MW expected to be commissioned by the end of the year at the Atyrau Thermal Power Plant, and 130 MW at the "Topar" GRES in 2025.
Through the reconstruction and expansion of existing electric stations, an additional 5.6 GW will be introduced, of which in 2024 the ministry has concluded 13 investment agreements with energy-producing organizations with a total capacity of 1.4 GW. These projects include the construction of block No. 7 at the Aksu GRES with a capacity of 325 MW, the construction of a boiler unit and turbine replacement at the Karaganda TPP-3, and the expansion of the gas turbine unit of Karabatan Utility Solution from 310 MW to 620 MW.
In the past year, plans have been defined for the construction of new generation facilities with a total capacity of about 9 GW. Currently, these projects are at various stages of implementation.
Within the framework of auction trades for selecting maneuverable generation, the introduction of 2.5 GW of new capacities is planned.
Currently, construction work is underway on four major projects of gas turbine units with a total capacity of approximately 1.8 GW, being implemented in the Turkestan, Kyzylorda regions, Ulytau region, and Almaty, with planned completion dates in 2026.
Additionally, in August 2024, another round of auction trades with a total capacity of 700 MW took place in Kazakhstan, resulting in four winners for the right to implement gas turbine units in the Zhambyl, Aktobe, and Atyrau regions. Currently, these projects are being implemented, with completion dates scheduled for 2028. The expected investment volume until 2029 will exceed 8 trillion tenge.
Within the framework of the intergovernmental agreement (MPS), work is underway on large-scale projects with a capacity of 2 GW involving strategic investors.
For example, as part of the signed intergovernmental agreement with Qatar, the construction of a gas turbine unit (GTU) with a capacity of 1100 MW in the Kyzylorda region is planned, with completion scheduled for 2029.
Another intergovernmental agreement with Russia aims to construct new combined heat and power plants (CHPP) based on coal generation in the cities of Kokshetau, Semey, and Ust-Kamenogorsk (Kokshetau CHPP — 240 MW, Semey — 360 MW, Ust-Kamenogorsk — 360 MW), with planned commissioning dates between 2028 and 2030. These projects will be implemented using "clean" coal technologies and are aimed at replacing the existing coal fleet in the northern regions of Kazakhstan, which have a prolonged heating season and lack gas transportation infrastructure.
Adjustment of Maximum Tariffs and Repair of Energy Blocks
From January 1, 2024, the Ministry of Energy has adjusted the maximum tariffs for electricity for 24 out of 49 energy-producing organizations based on submitted applications.
According to the repair schedule, the system operator has planned capital repairs for 10 energy blocks, 55 boilers, and 45 turbines at electric stations in 2024. Repairs have already been completed on 9 energy blocks, 53 boilers, and 40 turbines. Repair work is currently in the final stages on 1 energy block, 2 boilers, and 5 turbines.
On the electric networks of REC, repairs have been completed on 20.7 km of power transmission lines, 422 substations, and 4,000 transformer substations.
In the heating supply networks, repairs and reconstruction of 542 km planned for the current year have been fully completed.
Thanks to timely conducted works, the heating period has been organized smoothly and is being carried out without significant technological disruptions.
Oil Extraction and Processing
The oil production plan for 2024 is set at 90.3 million tons (100.4% compared to the 2023 level). As of the end of November this year, oil production amounted to 80.5 million tons