A draft law on heat power
industry approved in the first reading by the Mazhilis, a Lower House of the
Kazakh Parliament, includes provisions such as ensuring energy security,
improving energy efficiency, as well as measures to introduce renewable energy
sources into the district heating system, and others. According to Kazakh
Minister of Energy Almassadam Satkaliyev, the country previously lacked a
separate sectoral law. The provisions of the presented document, developed
jointly with international experts, stipulate monitoring of the industry,
allowing for a qualitative forecast of the sector’s further development and a
clear understanding of its state. Also, the norms of the draft law establish
the principles for tariff regulation and the criteria they must meet. Among
other provisions are the redistribution of competencies and responsibilities
for heat energy policy.
“Now, the transportation of
thermal energy assigned to the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Construction
will be transferred to the Ministry of Energy. In turn, the Ministry of
Industry and Construction will be responsible for heat supply systems in terms
of thermal energy consumption. Additionally, oversight functions in thermal
networks carried out by local executive bodies will be performed by the
Committee of Atomic and Energy Supervision and Control,” Satkaliyev said.
