Kazakhstan to build 20% electricity reserve by 2029

Asylzhan Musin, director of the electricity development department at Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy, said installed capacity at the country's power plants will fully cover electricity demand in 2029 with a 20% reserve. He said that if all planned projects are completed on schedule, Kazakhstan will reach self-sufficiency in early 2028. The reserve is needed to cover possible system accidents and ensure independence from imports.

Kazakhstan has traditionally covered its evening peak-hour shortfalls with electricity imports, mainly from Russia, and also from Kyrgyzstan and occasionally Uzbekistan. Installed capacity currently stands at 27.1 GW: coal 13.7 GW (51%), gas 7.1 GW (26%), renewables 3.8 GW (14%) and large hydropower 2.8 GW (9%). Musin acknowledged that generation is not yet keeping pace with consumption.

Electricity output was 123.1 billion kWh in 2025, with 126.5 billion kWh planned for 2026. A total of 13.4 GW is expected to be commissioned by 2029. Meanwhile, Russian state holding InterRAO said it exported 7.435 billion kWh in 2025, 12.8% less than in 2024, and Kazakhstan accounted for 58% of its exports.