Coal power project to get national status in Kazakhstan

ALMATY. Jan 20 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has asked government to designate the development of coal power as a national project by March 20.

"Coal power generation must be granted national project status. The government is tasked with resolving this issue by March 20," Tokayev told the 5th National Kurultai in Kyzylorda.

He called for faster progress on delayed energy projects, including new thermal power plants in Kokshetau, Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk. "We must admit this issue has been delayed, and people are waiting," he said. "My criticism is directed at the government and the state investment fund Samruk-Kazyna," he said.

Other priorities include launching a power plant in Kurchatov, adding units at the GRES-2 state district power plant and beginning construction of the GRES-3 plant in Ekibastuz.

"Kazakhstan has colossal coal reserves - about 33 billion tonnes, enough for 300 years at current consumption. With annual extraction exceeding 110 million tonnes, our country has taken a leading global position," Tokayev said.

He said coal was a strategic asset that should be fully utilized with advanced technology to mitigate environmental harm. Quoting former U.S. President Donald Trump, Tokayev said: "President Trump is right when he said, 'I like coal, I don't like wind.' There is ... a rational kernel in that."

The Energy Ministry has said power generation in 2025 reached 123.1 billion kWh against consumption of 124.6 billion kWh. The energy mix is still dominated by coal-fired power plants at 51.4%.

The Ekibastuz-3 state district power plant's capacity will be 2.64 GW, the new Kurchatov plant will have 700 MW, a combined heat and power plant in Kokshetau 240 MW and CHP plants in Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk 360 MW each.

Kazakhstan planned the construction of the three CHP plants jointly with Russia, and a subsidized loan from the Russian government has been considered. However, negotiations on the project have dragged on.

National projects are one means of implementing state policy in Kazakhstan. These projects are developed for a period of no more than five years and focus on key issues requiring concentrated efforts and resources. National projects are initiated by the president or an authorized body.