BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 2. Kazakhstan has
allocated 384 billion tenge (about $809.8 million) for power plant
repairs in 2026, up 9% compared to the previous year, as part of
efforts to strengthen the country's energy infrastructure ahead of
the upcoming heating season, according to the Kazakh government's
press service.


As reported, preparations for the 2025–2026 heating season are
carried out with increased funding from both state and private
investment sources.


In 2025, owners of energy facilities invested 348 billion tenge
(about $733.9 million) in power plant repairs, 6% more than in
2024, while 129 billion tenge was allocated for the modernization
of heating networks, representing a 16% year-on-year increase.


As part of last year's repair campaign, major overhauls were
completed on 10 power generating units, 63 boilers, and 39
turbines. In addition, around 17,000 kilometers of power
transmission lines and 420 substations were upgraded, while 323
kilometers of worn-out heating networks were replaced.


"The work carried out has improved the reliability of the
country's energy infrastructure and reduced equipment wear. Wear at
power plants declined to 53%, heating networks to 50%, and
electricity grid facilities to 66.2%," the government said.


The government noted that during the coldest period in December
last year, Kazakhstan's power system successfully handled a peak
load of 17.3 GW. As a result, the number of heating disruptions in
residential buildings fell threefold, from 65 to 21 cases
nationwide. Technological failures at power plants decreased by
15%, while disruptions on electricity networks declined by 12%.
Authorities reviewed each incident to prevent similar occurrences
in the future.


The condition of combined heat and power (CHP) plants also
improved. Five CHP plants were upgraded from the critical "red"
risk category to the more stable "yellow" category, while another
three moved from the "yellow" to the "green" category.


The government also reported that fuel reserves exceeded planned
levels, with more than 8 million tons of coal stockpiled for
households and social facilities against a target of 7.5 million
tons.


According to the government, funding for repair works is
generated through electricity tariffs, with each power plant
independently determining the most critical facilities requiring
priority maintenance.


At the same time, five thermal power plants remain under special
monitoring in the highest-risk "red" category. These include the
CHP plants in Semey, Uralsk, Taraz, Aktau CHP-2, and Temirtau
GRES-1. By the end of 2026, the government aims to reduce the
average wear of power plant equipment to 52%.







For 2026, Kazakhstan plans major overhauls of nine power
generating units, 55 boilers, and 51 turbines. According to the
government, repair works are progressing on schedule, although
hidden defects have been identified at several facilities during
inspections.


To date, two power generating units have been fully repaired,
while work continues on two others. Major repairs have been
completed on 13 boilers, with another 27 currently under repair.
Eight turbines have been commissioned after overhaul, while repairs
are ongoing at 16 additional units.


In parallel, routine maintenance is being carried out on more
than 500 auxiliary equipment units across the country.


The government's increased spending on energy infrastructure
comes as regional development institutions continue to emphasize
the long-term economic and social benefits of modernizing the power
sector.


A source from the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) Analytical
Department told Trend that the bank sees tangible benefits for local
communities in Central Asia, as part of infrastructure projects
financed jointly with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the World
Bank,


"The EDB's approach to ensuring measurable community benefits
from large infrastructure projects is rooted in two decades of
on-the-ground presence across all five Central Asian states. In
practice, this means the Bank structures investments not just for
macroeconomic impact, but for tangible outcomes at the local
level," the source stated.


EDB highlighted its 2025 project portfolio, totaling $782
million across five key investments, as examples of this
strategy.


"The Bank's 2025 project commitments - totalling $782 million
across five investments - include the reconstruction of Almaty's
thermal power plant with a transition from coal to gas, the
reconstruction of the Astrakhan-Mangyshlak water supply pipeline, a
large wind farm in Kazakhstan, the Kulanak hydropower plant, and a
solar plant in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul region. Each of these
directly affects the energy costs, water access, and air quality of
the communities around them," the source explained.