Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov within his working trip to Akmola region checked the implementation of the President's instructions on modernisation and sustainable reduction of wear and tear of power supply networks and heat communications, as well as the progress of preparation of communal infrastructure facilities for the heating season, El.kz cites primeminister.kz.
Prime Minister familiarised himself with the current state of Stepnogorsk CHPP, which was commissioned in 1966. The facility provides heat and electricity to the residential sector and enterprises of the city, as well as Zavodskoy settlement.
Prime Minister was reported on the preparation of municipal infrastructure of Akmola region for the heating period. Today the readiness of boilers is 99%, inspection of educational facilities, medical institutions, residential buildings has been carried out. All social infrastructure is fully prepared for the heating season. At CHPP preparation of necessary fuel reserves for the autumn-winter period goes according to the schedule.
This year, 2.7 billion tenge was allocated from the reserve of the Government to repair heating networks in Stepnogorsk. Construction and installation works on the 11.3 km section have been completed. In addition, the owner of Stepnogorsk power complex allocated 7.9 billion tenge for modernisation of infrastructure and communications facilities. Repair of 4 turbines has been completed, reconstruction of boilers continues, 1.6 km of the planned 2.6 km of heat networks have been installed.
The ongoing works will allow reducing the wear and tear of the CHPP equipment from 65.6% to 61.9% and of the main networks from the current 80.7% to 70%. However, a number of problematic issues remain, Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev noted
"Ongoing measures and investment in the renewal of existing energy sources is gradually reducing wear and tear. However, risks of interruptions remain, given the growing consumption. To ensure stable quality energy and heat supply, it is necessary to create alternative sources. In order to cover the needs of the population and ensure the launch of new enterprises, the development of nuclear energy will be an effective solution," Almassadam Satkaliyev reported.
Kazakhstan's existing power plants have a high level of wear and tear, reaching 70%. Electricity consumption in the country is growing by 3% annually. According to the Ministry of Energy's forecasts, by 2035, electricity consumption in Kazakhstan is expected to reach 152.4 billion kWh. At the same time, the existing power plants will be able to provide only 135 billion kWh.