Kazakhstan energy minister: no plans for now to raise electricity tariffs or coal prices

Kazakhstan's Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said there are currently no plans to raise electricity tariffs or coal prices. Speaking at a government briefing, he said coal prices will remain at their current level, as will the wholesale electricity price. He added that the ministry is not currently considering raising the electricity tariff, but is receiving and reviewing applications submitted to it.

Journalists recalled that maximum electricity tariffs were fixed for seven years at the start of the year, but were revised in September. Akkenzhenov said the initial calculations had not included any changes, but after applications were collected, the tariffs were adjusted to account for coal costs. The changes took effect on 10 September.

At the same briefing, First Vice Minister of National Economy Azamat Amrin said utility tariffs in Kazakhstan could rise by the end of the year.