ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 15. Over the past
25 years, electricity consumption in Kazakhstan has increased 2.5
times, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a press
conference, Trend
reports via the press service of the Kazakh government.


According to the minister, in the early 2000s, Kazakhstan
generated around 50 billion kWh of electricity per year. By the end
of last year, this figure had reached 117.9 billion kWh, while
generation in 2025 is expected to total about 122 billion kWh.


To meet growing demand, the Ministry of Energy has developed a
comprehensive plan to expand generation capacity, he said. By 2035,
Kazakhstan plans to commission new facilities and modernize
existing ones with a total capacity of 26.4 GW, effectively
doubling national electricity output.


Akkenzhenov noted that rising demand is closely linked to
technological progress.


"Progress does not stand still. Today, Kazakhstan operates two
supercomputers - Alem AI and the computing facilities of Satbayev
University. With the development of artificial intelligence, data
centers, and industrial production, electricity consumption will
inevitably continue to grow," the minister said.







The official emphasized that Kazakhstan will continue to advance
coal-fired power generation, integrating modern and environmentally
sustainable technologies. Recently, a tender was held for the
construction of GRES-3, a 2,600 MW power plant located in the
Pavlodar Region near Ekibastuz, which already hosts two major
operational power stations.


The new facility will incorporate flexible generation units, a
solution made possible by the latest technological advancements in
coal-fired power plants. Additionally, the government plans to
construct three combined heat and power plants in the cities of
Kokshetau, Semey, and Ust-Kamenogorsk.


Simultaneously, Kazakhstan is also pursuing developments in
gas-fired generation. In Shymkent, the construction of a 1,000 MW
combined-cycle gas turbine plant is currently underway, while three
combined-cycle units of the Turkestan project, with a total
capacity of 270 MW, were previously commissioned.


"These initiatives are part of Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to
ensure the stable and efficient operation of the national power
grid," Akkenzhenov remarked. "Our national goal is to double
electricity generation by 2035."