Wear and tear of plants and electricity shortages: what the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan plans to do

Kazakhstan's Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev reported on the situation regarding the country's energy complex at a government meeting on Tuesday.

According to the minister, in general, the Unified Electric Power System of Kazakhstan is operating as normal, in parallel with the power systems of Russia and the countries of Central Asia.

In accordance with the schedule of repairs at power plants, major repairs of 9 power units, 46 boilers and 46 turbines were completed in 2023.

Today, there are 220 power plants operating in the country, including 144 renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 2.8 GW.

The average level of wear and tear on plant equipment is 56%.

In order to maintain energy security, ensure reliable energy supply, and also taking into account the annual increase in electrical energy consumption, it is necessary to commission new energy capacities and modernize existing power plants.

According to the approved power balance, by 2030 the need for electrical power will be 28.2 GW, while the available capacity, taking into account the commissioning of new capacities, will be 22 GW.

The volume of electric power shortage, even taking into account the commissioning of about 4 GW of new capacity, exceeds 6 GW.

To cover this deficit in the country and increase the export potential, the Ministry of Energy has developed an action plan for the development of the electric power industry, which provides for the introduction of additional new generating capacities of up to 35 GW.

Thus, through the reconstruction and expansion of existing power plants, an additional 5.6 GW will be provided.

Such projects include the construction of unit No. 7 at the Aksu State District Power Plant with a capacity of 325 MW (2027), the construction of a boiler unit and the replacement of a turbine at the Karaganda CHPP-3 (120 MW in 2026) and the expansion of the Karabatan Utility Solution LLP CCPP from 310 MW to 620 MW (2027).

The plan also provides for the construction of new generating units with a capacity of 6.7 GW.

As part of the auction for the selection of flexible generation, it is planned to build gas plants in the cities of Aktau, Atyrau, Aktobe, Taraz, Kyzylorda, Shymkent with a total capacity of 2.4 GW.

In the city of Zhezkazgan, it is planned to build a new thermal power plant with a capacity of 500 MW by the end of 2029.

Large-scale projects with a capacity of 5 GW are also being developed at various stages with strategic investors.

Due to the high potential for development of the RES sector, as part of the auctions for the selection of RES projects, the Ministry developed and approved an auction schedule for a 5-year period. The total capacity put up for auction was 6.7 GW, while based on the results of the auction, it is planned to commission 592 MW by the end of 2027.

The implementation of these projects will eliminate shortages in the power system and provide it with the necessary reserve power.

The new architecture of national power plants will ensure that the renewable potential of the Caspian, Aral, Eastern and Southern Kazakhstan is included in the energy balance and will significantly increase export and transit potential.