Kazakhstan Plans $15.5B Investment in Coal Power
Why this is here: The plan to modernize eleven existing power plants, targeting a 12.6% reduction in equipment wear, indicates a focus on extending the lifespan of current infrastructure alongside new builds.
Kazakhstan approved a national project to invest over $15.5 billion in coal-fired power generation by 2030. The country anticipates accelerated electricity demand due to growth in its IT sector, data centers, and artificial intelligence industries. The plan includes commissioning and modernizing 7.8 GW of capacity at facilities in Ekibastuz, Kurchatov, and Zhezkazgan.
Financing will come from private capital, with the government expecting broader economic benefits. Modernization of 11 existing plants aims to reduce equipment wear by 12.6% and boost efficiency. This project will also increase thermal coal consumption by approximately 20 million tons annually.
New power plants will include emission-control systems like electrostatic precipitators and desulphurization units. Kazakhstan intends to meet domestic electricity demand by 2027 and begin exporting power by 2029. The project is projected to create around 4,500 permanent jobs and offer subsidized mortgages to employees.