QAZAQ GREEN. Kazakhstan could face a severe electricity shortage within six years, threatening economic growth. To combat this looming crisis, the country is constructing three new thermal power plants and considering a nuclear power plant, according to a reports "24kz."

The nation could experience a significant electricity deficit before the end of this decade. According to the Power Association's forecast, this year, the country's electricity consumption will reach slightly over 120.5 billion kWh, while production is estimated at around 118 billion kWh, resulting in a deficit of 2.4 billion kWh.

By 2025, the shortfall is expected to increase to more than 3 billion kWh, with consumption at 125 billion kWh and production nearly 122 billion kWh. In 2026-2027, the country is expected to have a surplus of electricity. However, by 2030, the electricity deficit is projected to reach a record 13.5 billion kWh.

The solution lies in constructing three new thermal power plants in Kazakhstan, to be built by Russian specialists. While the country is actively increasing its share of renewable energy sources, it cannot completely abandon coal at this time. Over 80% of electricity is generated from coal, only 7% from natural gas, and 8% from hydropower. The development of nuclear energy is still under discussion.

"We cannot abandon coal; the main thing is to introduce technologies that do not pollute the air. In China and South Africa, new thermal power plants with lower coal consumption are being built, providing the same amount of heat with minimal emissions. The construction of a nuclear power plant is a strategic task, as we are the world's largest uranium exporter, but we do not have our own station. This seems illogical, so I, along with my colleagues from the Ministry of Energy, support this issue and hope for the earliest start of construction. The energy deficit is just around the corner, and the authorities themselves are already talking about it," said energy expert Almaz Abildayev.

Meanwhile, veterans of the energy sector argue that the issue is not just about the deficit, but about managing existing resources and effectively planning capacities.

"We buy electricity from Russia to cover peak loads. Kazakhstan lacks maneuverable power plants: gas, gas turbine, and hydroelectric power plants that can rapidly change their load. Therefore, it is necessary to pay great attention to the construction of both small and large hydroelectric power plants. On the Irtysh, Syr Darya, and Ili rivers, it is necessary to install counter-regulators, as well as build gas stations along the BBSH line," said Mirzhan Asrepov, a veteran of Kazakhstan's energy sector.

As of the beginning of this year, the total installed capacity of power plants is 20.4 GW, and the operating capacity is 15.4 GW. The average level of equipment wear and tear at stations is 56%. There are currently 220 power plants operating in the republic, of which 144 are based on renewable energy sources with a total capacity of 2.8 GW.

Kazakhstan's power system is divided into three zones: Northern, Southern, and Western. The latter is yet to be connected to the unified energy system.

According to the Ministry of Energy's forecast, the unification of the Western zone with the Unified Energy System of Kazakhstan will take until approximately 2028. Simply put, the energy zones need to be interconnected to reduce dependence on electricity imports from Russia, which will positively impact the end consumer.