Kazakhstan plans to build eight new coal-fired power plants and modernize eleven existing facilities over the next five years, adding approximately 8 GW of generating capacity. The expansion is intended to support the launch of modern energy-intensive industries and to serve as a power source for digital platforms. Coal production is expected to rise accordingly, with output projected at around 130 million tonnes this year. The country holds substantial coal reserves, estimated at over 33 billion tonnes. The development of coal-fired power generation and the implementation of the National Project on Coal Generation were discussed at a government meeting today.
«Kazakhstan ranks among the world’s top ten countries in coal reserves, a competitive advantage that must be leveraged. At the same time, clean coal technologies with minimal environmental impact have advanced rapidly in recent years. Modern solutions can capture up to 90% of carbon dioxide and other emissions, as well as ensure the safe storage of combustion by-products. We are also working in this direction,» Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said.
Kazakhstan is placing a high priority on advanced coal processing. The country has launched three major coal-chemical projects, including the construction of a metallurgical coke plant in the Karagandy region with a capacity of 1 million tonnes and a cost of $132 billion. Additionally, two coal-to-diesel projects are planned in the Karagandy and Pavlodar regions, each with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes. Four more projects are also under development, one of which aims to produce 2 billion cubic meters of gas per year from coal. All of these initiatives are attracting significant investment to the sector.
«In
2025, investment in the coal industry under contractual work programs totaled
305 billion tenge, and in 2026, the sector is expected to attract around 553.5
billion tenge. The Ministry is placing particular emphasis on advancing
geological exploration in the coal sector. By the end of the year, an auction
is planned to grant subsoil use rights for around 10 coal deposits,» Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said.
Additionally, the implementation of the national project is expected to
reduce pollutant emissions from coal-fired power plants by 34%. Within a month,
the relevant ministries will review existing energy sources and develop and
approve a roadmap for each plant to implement modern clean coal technologies.
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