In his recent address to the people of Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the importance of the country not relying on neighboring countries for its energy needs.
President Tokayev noted that the aging infrastructure of Kazakhstan has been highlighted as a problem due to a series of accidents at thermal power plants last winter. This outdated infrastructure affects both the well-being of citizens and the pace of industrialization in the country.
To modernize the infrastructure, the government needs to identify all industry problems and solutions in its infrastructure plan.
Energy security is also a crucial issue that must be addressed by relying on the country's resources as much as possible.
Over the next five years, Kazakhstan plans to introduce a new energy capacity of at least 14 gigawatts. The first unit of Ekibastuz GRES-1 has already been reconstructed, and the station will operate all eight units, a first for the country.
The expansion project for GRES-2 is being implemented, and the construction of GRES-3 is beginning.
The development of renewable energy projects, especially hydropower plants, will continue.
Energy, heat, and water supply are interconnected systems that should be treated as a separate branch of the economy.
The government needs to introduce new solutions and reboot the tariff policy, increase the investment attractiveness of the industry, and introduce adequate market tariffs for all subjects of natural monopolies for five to seven years. This will enable better planning of investments and serve as a "firm" pledge when attracting credit funds.
President Tokayev also emphasized the need to increase the responsibility of monopolists and introduce digital control tools while expanding citizens' access to information on tariff estimates and investment programs.
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