Kazakhstan Expands Renewable Energy
Kazakhstan is accelerating the development of its energy and digital infrastructure, aiming to boost national capacity and ensure long-term sustainability, according to statements made by Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov during a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.
As of 2025, 230 power plants are in operation across the country, including 156 renewable energy facilities with a total installed capacity exceeding three gigawatts (GW). In 2024, Kazakhstan generated 117.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, while national consumption reached 119.9 billion kilowatt-hours.
To meet growing demand, a comprehensive plan is in place to add over 26 GW of new energy capacity by 2035. This year alone, 621.5 megawatts of new capacity are expected to come online, with 455.5 megawatts generated from renewable sources.
Strategic infrastructure projects include the construction of low-emission coal plants such as Ekibastuz GRES-3 (2.6 GW), a new thermal power plant in Kurchatov (600–700 megawatts), and a one-gigawatt gas turbine facility in the Turkistan Region. Modernization efforts at existing power stations are also underway.
The national grid operator KEGOC is leading efforts to upgrade transmission systems and support the integration of renewables. Eight major investment projects totaling 2.3 trillion tenge (US$4.4 billion) are planned to enhance energy system resilience.
Parallel to energy initiatives, the government is also expanding digital infrastructure. By 2027, high-speed fiber-optic internet will be deployed to 3,781 rural settlements, increasing rural broadband coverage to 90%. Mobile network coverage is projected to reach 99%, and satellite internet will be made available in 328 remote areas by the end of 2025.
Photo credit: primeminister.kz
