By 2029, Kazakhstan is to achieve a sustained electricity surplus. This task was outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his state-of-the-nation address. To this end, the country will need to increase its electricity generation. A total of more than 13 gigawatts of additional generating capacity is planned to be commissioned. A significant share of this capacity will come from coal-fired power generation. Under the national project, eight new power plants are scheduled to be built and 11 existing ones modernized by 2030.
«By 2027, following the implementation of the projects, the country’s power system is expected to become self-sufficient. This means that domestic power plants will be able to meet the country’s entire electricity demand. Under the national project for the development of coal-fired power generation, we plan to commission a total of 7.8 gigawatts of coal-fired generating capacity. Of this, 5.3 gigawatts – the construction of new power plants. Investors have already been identified for several projects, including the Ekibastuz GRES, with a capacity of 2.6 gigawatts; a 700-megawatt thermal power plant in Kurchatov; and three combined heat and power plants in Semei, Oskemen, and Kokshetau,» noted Assylzhan Mussin, Director of the Department for Electric Power Development, Kazakh Ministry of Energy.
Another focus of the state-of-the-nation address is the development of renewable energy. More than 170 renewable energy facilities are currently operating in Kazakhstan. The sector will continue to expand through new solar and wind power plants. An additional 570 megawatts of generating capacity is expected to come online as early as next year. By 2035, the cumulative increase is expected to exceed 8 gigawatts. This will increase the share of clean energy in the country’s overall energy mix.
«By 2029, a total of 18 gigawatts of solar generating capacity is planned to come online. As for renewable energy, renewables accounted for 7% of all electricity generated in Kazakhstan in 2025. In the first nine months of this year, this indicator had already reached 8.5%,» Assylzhan Mussin added.
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