Kazakhstan's Energy Sector Reforms Aligned with Constitutional Update

An expanded meeting of the board of the Ministry of Energy was held under the chairmanship of First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar. The session included representatives from the Presidential Administration, the Government Office, members of Parliament, leadership of the Ministry of Energy, national companies, and subordinate organizations.

In his address, Roman Sklyar emphasized that the upcoming national referendum on a new draft Constitution marks a significant stage in renewing the foundations of state development. The draft fundamental law, shaped through broad public discussion, establishes high standards of responsibility for state institutions.

"Energy security and rational use of natural resources are becoming not just sectoral tasks but elements of a new constitutional model for the country's development. In these conditions, a transition is required from a predominantly raw materials model to deep processing and creating high added value," noted the First Deputy Prime Minister.

Roman Sklyar outlined priority areas for work in energy and the oil and gas sector. Key tasks include developing geological exploration and replenishing hydrocarbon resource bases, increasing local content share, and strengthening oil refining. In this regard, instructions were given to begin developing feasibility studies for constructing a new oil refinery and expanding existing plants.

Projects under special control include building a polyethylene plant in Atyrau region and an alkylate production facility in Pavlodar. Additionally, adopting the "On Petrochemical Industry" bill is crucial to ensure sustainable growth in processing and energy independence.

To meet growing demand for energy resources, objectives have been set to launch a 1 billion cubic meter gas processing plant at Kashagan this year. Construction on another GPP in Zhanaozen must be completed by late 2027. Control over implementing the second line of the "Beineu – Bozoy – Shymkent" gas pipeline is also mandated.

The focus also includes accelerated commissioning of new generating capacities and modernizing existing stations. This involves completing combined-cycle power plant projects in Turkistan and modernizing Almaty CHPP-2 and CHPP-3. Integrating Western Kazakhstan's power zone with the Unified Power System is another key goal.

Separate attention was given to a national project for coal generation development. Transforming the industry through digital twins for energy facilities is planned. Equipping oil depots with metering devices integrated into a unified system aims to eliminate shadow turnover of petroleum products.

In conclusion, Roman Sklyar stressed that the Ministry must concentrate efforts on ensuring national energy independence. Strict control over implementing investment projects is necessary as developing Kazakhstan's fuel & energy complex forms the foundation for its new economic model.