Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry Sets Priorities for Deep Processing and Infrastructure

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

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

"Energy security and rational use of natural resources are becoming not only sectoral tasks but also elements of a new constitutional model for the country's development. In these conditions, a transition is required from a predominantly raw material model to deep processing and the creation of 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 building a new oil refinery (OR) and expanding existing plants.

Projects for constructing a polyethylene plant in the Atyrau region and an alkylate production facility in Pavlodar remain under special control. The adoption of the "On Petrochemical Industry" bill is also crucial to ensure sustainable growth in processing and energy independence.

To meet growing demand for energy resources, tasks have been set to launch a 1 billion cubic meter gas processing plant (GPP) at Kashagan this year, complete construction of a GPP in Zhanaozen by late 2027, and ensure oversight over implementing the second line of the Beyneu–Bozoy–Shymkent gas pipeline.

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

Separate attention was given to a national project for developing coal generation, transforming the industry through digital twins implementation at energy facilities, and equipping oil depots with metering devices integrated into a unified system to eliminate shadow turnover of petroleum products.

In conclusion, Roman Sklyar stressed that the Ministry must concentrate efforts on ensuring national energy independence. He highlighted strict control over investment project implementation as essential since developing Kazakhstan's fuel & energy complex forms the foundation for its new economic model.