Kazakhstan plans to invest more than 8 trillion tenge in expanding its coal-fired power generation capacity by 2030, the country’s Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan said during a recent roundtable outlining the main areas of planned spending.
Under a national project to develop coal-based power generation, Kazakhstan intends to construct five new thermal power plants in Kurchatov, Kokshetau, Semey, Ust-Kamenogorsk, and Zhezkazgan, as well as build Ekibastuz GRES-3. In parallel, the existing Ekibastuz GRES-2 and Aksu GRES power stations are set to undergo modernization.
The national project focuses on introducing technologies that reduce atmospheric emissions from coal combustion. It предусматривает a gradual replacement of worn-out generation assets with modern, high-efficiency power units designed to minimize environmental impact. According to the ministry, the new coal-fired plants are expected to strengthen Kazakhstan’s energy security while meeting environmental standards.
Investors for the construction of new power facilities will be selected through competitive tenders. For the modernization of existing plants, project operators will sign investment agreements directly with the Ministry of Energy. These mechanisms are intended to ensure transparency and provide investors with guaranteed returns, as electricity tariffs will be fixed under long-term contracts.
To integrate the new generating capacity into the national energy system, the ministry also plans to increase coal production and further develop railway infrastructure. The proposals will be coordinated with other relevant government agencies before being incorporated into the final version of the national project.
