{"id":2848399,"version":0,"headline":"Kazakhstan starts build work at 700MW coal plant","dateModified":"2026-07-06T16:05:10Z","datePublished":"2026-07-06T16:05:00Z","articleBody":"<article><p class=\"lead\">Kazakhstan has started work at a 700MW coal-fired power plant project that will cost an estimated 759bn tenge ($1.6bn), the energy ministry has said. </p><p>The plant will be located in Kurchatov in the eastern Abai region, with construction expected to wrap up in 2032 and the plant generating around 5 TWh/yr once operational, the ministry said on the weekend. </p><p>The ministry emphasised the use of clean coal technologies at the plant, which will run at supercritical steam conditions. The project is aimed at meeting Kazakhstan's longer-term energy security goals, reducing the risks of power shortages, increasing industrial output and attracting foreign investment.</p><p>The plant, along with two others, had been delayed for months due to funding issues. The projects were jointly approved last year by Kazakhstan and Russia with a subsidised loan from Moscow but negotiations stalled <a href=\"https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2778578\">earlier this year</a>.</p><p>The latest project forms part of Kazakhstan's gaol of expanding coal-fired electricity through 7.8GW of new and upgraded additions to the grid, including the construction of eight thermal coal plants. These include the 2.6GW Ekibastuz GRES-3 project, a 350MW plant in Karaganda, a 180MW unit in Ekibastuz and projects in Zhezkazgan (500MW), Kokshetau (240MW) and Ust-Kamenogorsk (360MW).</p><p>Kazakhstan's Abai region shares a border with China and has been an active spot for the construction of thermal coal-fired power plants under a national project announced this year, with plans to build another 360MW coal-fired plant in Semey by 2029. </p><p class=\"bylines\">By Shreyashi Sanyal</p></article>","dateline":"London, 6 July (Argus)","license":"<footer><p><br> Send comments and request more information at <a href=\"mailto:feedback@argusmedia.com?subject=Argus Direct article feedback&body=I am contacting you regarding Kazakhstan starts build work at 700MW coal plant , available at http://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/cs-24745298.\" target=\"_parent\"> feedback@argusmedia.com </a></p><p><i> Copyright © 2026. <a href=\"http://www.argusmedia.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Argus Media group</a>. All rights reserved. </i></p></footer>","copyrightHolder":"Argus Media group","copyrightYear":2026,"taxonomy":{"contexts":[{"name":"Fundamentals","children":[{"name":"Demand","children":[]},{"name":"Supply","children":[]}]},{"name":"Infrastructure","children":[{"name":"Plant construction","children":[]},{"name":"Plant proposal","children":[]}]}],"regions":[{"name":"Asia-Pacific","children":[{"name":"Northeast Asia","children":[{"name":"China","children":[]}]}]},{"name":"FSU","children":[{"name":"Kazakhstan","children":[]}]}],"sectors":[{"name":"Coal","children":[{"name":"Steam coal","children":[]}]}]},"pullQuote":null,"newsType":"Daily news","language":"en-GB","keywords":null,"isFree":true,"isFeatured":false,"body":"<p class=\"lead\">Kazakhstan has started work at a 700MW coal-fired power plant project that will cost an estimated 759bn tenge ($1.6bn), the energy ministry has said. </p><p>The plant will be located in Kurchatov in the eastern Abai region, with construction expected to wrap up in 2032 and the plant generating around 5 TWh/yr once operational, the ministry said on the weekend. </p><p>The ministry emphasised the use of clean coal technologies at the plant, which will run at supercritical steam conditions. The project is aimed at meeting Kazakhstan's longer-term energy security goals, reducing the risks of power shortages, increasing industrial output and attracting foreign investment.</p><p>The plant, along with two others, had been delayed for months due to funding issues. The projects were jointly approved last year by Kazakhstan and Russia with a subsidised loan from Moscow but negotiations stalled <a href=\"https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2778578\">earlier this year</a>.</p><p>The latest project forms part of Kazakhstan's gaol of expanding coal-fired electricity through 7.8GW of new and upgraded additions to the grid, including the construction of eight thermal coal plants. These include the 2.6GW Ekibastuz GRES-3 project, a 350MW plant in Karaganda, a 180MW unit in Ekibastuz and projects in Zhezkazgan (500MW), Kokshetau (240MW) and Ust-Kamenogorsk (360MW).</p><p>Kazakhstan's Abai region shares a border with China and has been an active spot for the construction of thermal coal-fired power plants under a national project announced this year, with plans to build another 360MW coal-fired plant in Semey by 2029. </p><p class=\"bylines\">By Shreyashi Sanyal</p>","lead":"Kazakhstan has started work at a 700MW coal-fired power plant project that will cost an estimated 759bn tenge ($1.6bn), the energy ministry has said. ","cmsId":"24745298","source":"Censhare"}