Workers in Kazakhstan’s energy sector were
honored today at the Akorda residence. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
congratulated them on their professional holiday. In
today’s world, energy is becoming a
strategically important sector, especially as the country strives to maintain
its competitiveness on the global stage by opening modern production facilities
and advancing full-scale digitalization.
«Over
the past six years, electricity generation has increased by 16 billion
kilowatt-hours. This is comparable to the annual consumption of an industrially
developed region like Karagandy.
Kazakhstan’s
electricity system currently comprises 237 power plants with a total installed
capacity of 25 gigawatts and an actual available capacity of 21 gigawatts,» Tokayev said.
The energy system
infrastructure is being actively modernized, supported by the Tariff in
Exchange for Investment program. The government has launched a national
project for the modernization of the energy and utilities sectors, under which 86,000
kilometers of networks will be upgraded over a five-year period.
«Strengthening
Kazakhstan’s energy potential is a top priority. This year, a unique project to
reinforce the power grids of the western regions will be completed. The project
is set to integrate the energy networks of the West Kazakhstan, Atyrau, and
Mangystau regions, which will subsequently be connected to the unified national
power grid. Major energy projects are also being implemented across the
country. In particular, new power units will be built at the Ekibastuz GRES-2
power plant, while construction of a third GRES will also commence. The
commissioning of these facilities will help eliminate the
country’s electricity deficit,» the President noted.
New power plants equipped with combined-cycle gas
turbine units will also be launched in the Kyzylorda and Turkistan regions, expected
to generate more than 26 gigawatts of electricity by 2035. However, progress
cannot stop there. It is essential to adopt cutting-edge technologies –
including accelerating the transition to the use of “clean coal”. This is
particularly relevant given Kazakhstan’s significant coal reserves, with annual
production exceeding 110 million tonnes. The country’s energy landscape is set
to be fundamentally transformed by the construction of a nuclear power plant.
«The construction of the Balkhash nuclear power plant, followed by a second nuclear facility, will undoubtedly strengthen Kazakhstan’s energy potential. At the same time, it will contribute to the development of new competencies in such a vital field as nuclear energy. The emergence of nuclear power plants on Kazakhstan’s energy map will mark the country’s transition to a qualitatively new level of economic development,» Tokayev stated.
For their significant contribution to the
development of the energy sector, engineers, electricians, operators, and
machinery operators were awarded high state honors by President Tokayev.
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