KEGOC switching generating facilities in southern Kazakhstan to full capacity to restore supply

ALMATY. Feb 13 (Interfax) - Kazakh Electricity Grid Operating Company (KEGOC) is making efforts to switch the power plants in six southern regions to full capacity to compensate for the power loss and restore electricity supply.

A failure at the Ekibastuz-Agadyr 500kV power line caused a 10% drop (600 MW) in power transmission in Almaty, Zhambyl, Zhetysu, Turkestan, Kyzylorda, Karaganda regions.

"Currently, the work is underway to bring the power generating capacities to the maximum to restore power supply to the consumers that had been cut off," the company said.

KEGOC noted that the emergency shutdown within its networks helped prevent a complete blackout in the south and central region of Kazakhstan.

According to the Energy Ministry, as at 12 noon Astana time the power supply was restricted for Kazphosphate LLP (a shortage of 100 MW), ArcelorMittal JSC and Kazakhmys Corporation (70 MW).

KEGOC, part of National Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna, is the operator of the national power grid. KEGOC is owned by Samruk-Kazyna (90%) and the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund (7.25%).