Kazakhstan to build 500kV transmission line to improve power supply to oil-rich western regions

ASTANA. Aug 17 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan plans to build a 500 kV power transmission line to ensure a reliable power supply to the country's western regions, where the country's biggest oil fields and Atyrau refinery are located, the government's press service said.

"Taking into account the forecast for electricity consumption growth in the Mangistau region, we plan to connect the western energy system to Kazakhstan's unified energy system through a 500kV transmission line and launch new generating capacity in the area," according to a statement released following a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov.

Efforts to upgrade functioning power plants in the region will continue.

The new power grid facilities will beef up the western energy zone and enhance the stability of the power supply of the Mangistau region, which has already experienced two massive outages since July.

"This will reduced to a minimum electricity restrictions for consumers, who will be supplied through the Uralsk-Atyrau-Mangistau line if power generating units at Mangistau Atomic Energy Complex, or MAEK, go down," the government said.

The prime minister also called for speeding up energy projects vital for the Mangistau region and set an earlier deadline for 2024-2026 instead of 2027-2028. Smailov gave until the end of the year to stabilize the region's power supply and prevent rolling blackouts.