Projects that enhance the reliability of energy systems.

As of January 1, 2024, the total available capacity reached 20.4 GW, with an operational capacity of 15.4 GW. The peak consumption during the current autumn-winter period has reached 16.6 GW, while the maximum generation stood at 15.1 GW. According to data from December 19, the electricity generation volume is 113.1 billion kWh.

– Given the necessity of maintaining energy security, reliable energy supply, and the annual growth in electricity consumption, there is a need to introduce new generating capacities and modernize existing power plants. To address the deficit, the Ministry of Energy has developed an action plan that includes the addition of 26 GW, – reported Deputy Minister of Energy Sungat Yesimkhanov.

In general, according to him, modernization, reconstruction, and expansion of existing stations with a total capacity of 5.9 GW are planned. In 2024, 13 relevant investment agreements were signed between the sectoral ministry and energy companies.

Thanks to the reconstruction and expansion of existing power plants, by the end of this year, the commissioning of generation with a total capacity of over 700 MW is expected.

Currently, the first unit of the Ekibastuz GRES-1 with a capacity of 500 MW has been launched. By the end of the year, the replacement of turbine unit No. 6 at the Atyrau TPP, with a capacity of 65 MW, and boiler unit No. 8 at the Zhezkazgan TPP, with a capacity of 43 MW, will be completed, along with renewable energy projects totaling 163.35 MW.

Projects for the construction of new generation capacities totaling approximately 9 GW are at various stages of implementation. As part of the auction trading for selecting maneuverable generation, the construction of gas stations is planned in Aktau, Atyrau, Aktobe, Astana, Taraz, Kyzylorda, Shymkent, and Turkestan region.

The mechanism, successfully tested in 2022, has allowed the initiation of four projects for the construction of combined cycle units with a total capacity of 1.8 GW in Turkestan, Kyzylorda regions, Ulytau region, and the city of Almaty, with completion dates set for 2026.

For balanced industry development

In August 2024, subsequent auction trading was conducted, resulting in four winners awarded the right to execute works on the construction of combined cycle units in the Zhambyl, Aktobe, and Atyrau regions with a total capacity of 700 MW, scheduled for completion in 2028.

Various large-scale projects with a capacity of 2 GW are being developed under intergovernmental agreements with strategic investors. Significant work was accomplished in 2024 in terms of balanced development of traditional and renewable energy sources. 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 (six for thermal, eight for electricity supply). One of the facilities – a 110/10 kV substation in the Akzhayik area of Uralsk – has already been put into operation.

– Work continues on integrating the electrical grids of the Western zone with the Unified Energy System, for which a 500 kV power line, 604 kilometers long, will be constructed by 2028. This will connect the Aktobe and Atyrau regions. Maneuverable gas power sources in the Western zone will be used to compensate for the imbalances in electricity and capacity in the Northern and Southern zones. The development of project and estimate documentation (PED) is nearing completion, with construction and installation work scheduled to begin in 2025, – clarified the deputy minister.

PED for the project to strengthen the electrical networks of the Southern zone (Shu – Zhambyl – Shymkent) is being developed. The first stage – the construction of a 500 kV overhead line, 475 km long, along the Shu – Zhambyl – Shymkent route – is planned for completion in 2027.

To further strengthen connections between northern and southern regions, as well as to enhance transit potential, the construction of direct current lines "North – South" with a voltage of ±500 kV is planned. The feasibility of constructing a direct current line connecting the Western and Southern zones of the republic is being studied, which will allow the Unified Energy System of Kazakhstan to be looped. Thus, it is expected to cover the entire electricity demand of the economy.

Investments
and repair campaign

Due to the increase in the annual limit for returnable investments from 32 billion to 428 billion tenge, the pool of projects for modernization, expansion, and reconstruction of the main equipment for existing energy organizations has been replenished. To enhance the investment attractiveness of the industry, in 2024, electricity tariffs for 24 out of 49 electricity producers were adjusted. The average tariff increase was approximately 20%, which is linked to rising repair, fuel, and wage costs.

Currently, there are 22 investment agreements with a total capacity of 2.8 GW in effect. For instance, restoration work is underway on unit No. 1 of the Ekibastuz GRES-1 (500 MW); replacement of turbine units at the Atyrau TPP (65 MW), Topar GRES (130 MW), and Zhezkazgan TPP (93 MW); expansion of the Karaganda TPP-3 and Ust-Kamenogorsk TPP.

– Thanks to timely and quality work, we were able to start the heating season in an organized manner and carry it out without major technological disruptions, – emphasized Sungat Yesimkhanov.

The majority of the planned capital repairs for 2024 have been completed by the System Operator: repairs have been finalized on nine power units, 53 boilers, and 40 turbines. Repair work is in the final stages on one power unit, two boilers, and five turbines. A total of 542 km of heat networks have been fully repaired and reconstructed. On the electrical networks of REC, repairs have been conducted on 20.7 km of power lines, 422 substations, and 4,000 transformer substations.