Kazakhstan: Energy Resources

Extend network

The transmission and distribution system comprises three networks, two in the north and one in the south, totalling 285,000 km of distribution lines. Of the northern networks, one exports electricity to Russia and the other imports it from Russia. The southern network—connected to the Unified Energy System (UES) of Central Asia—imports electricity from the Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Energy procedure

KAZSEFF - Kazakhstan Sustainable Energy Finance Facility The EBRD established a USD 75 million framework facility in the form of dedicated credit lines to local financial institutions for on-lending to private sector companies to finance investments in sustainable energy in 2008.  Since then, eligible investments that include energy efficiency in the industrial sector and small renewable energy projects have benefited of expertise transfer and build, among both banks and companies, related to energy efficiency. The banks will build expertise in assessing the risk and creditworthiness of clients for energy efficiency loans, while the enterprises are expected to become more familiar with banks requirements for providing energy efficiency loans.

Energy debates

Draft Law on Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency has since 2007 been drawing significant attention in Kazakhstan. A Government-sanctioned draft Law on Energy Efficiency was developed that year, and in June 2009 the draft was filed with the Majilis, the lower chamber of Kazakhstan's Parliament, for eventual adoption. Upon request of the Government, EBRD hired consultants for assistance in drafting the law, considering that the international best practice in this sphere should be taken into account in preparation of the new draft law.

From the time of submission till June 2010, the draft of the law was under revision in Majilis and finally, it was sent back to the Government for further improvement. Later, it was sent to the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies (MINT).  The new draft of the Law was renamed into Law on Energy Saving and Enhancement of Energy Efficiency. There are considered conceptual changes in the new Law, e.g. it included a chapter on ESCOs, there is a set of specific goals on reduction of energy intensity of GDP by 10% in 2015 and 25% by 2020.

Energy sources

Total installed electricity capacity (2010): 19,127 MW Available capacity: 1,821 MW.

Power Generation (2009): 78.4 billion kWh

   Fossil fuel 90.7 %
   Hydro: 9.3 %

There are 71 power stations, including five hydroelectric plants. This represents an installed capacity of approximately 19,400 MW, and available output 15,300 MW. At the moment, 85.5% of Kazakhstan’s electricity comes from coal-fired plants and 8.7% from hydroelectric sources.  The coal fired plants are located in north coal producing regions. Hydroelectric facilities are located mostly along the Irtysh River. The southern regions of Kazakhstan do not have an enough energy resources and electricity consumption is covered by import from the Kyrgyz Republic.

Kazakhstan total primary energy supply (excluding electricity trade) was 65,835 ktoe in 2009. Share of TPES was the following:

   Coal/peat: 47.9%
   Gas:29.1 %
   Oil: 21.8%
   Hydro: 0.9%
   Combined renewable and waste: 0.2%.

Regulatory roles

ANMR is a central executive body which carries out state regulation of the activity of natural monopolies, as well as of the prices for goods (works, services) of market entities occupying dominant (monopolistic) position in the market, particularly in the power and heat industry, oil transportation, oil products and gas. ANMR has the authority to set tariffs and define the tariff methodology. ANMR does not have the power to authorize new capacity, but does have the right to exercise control over procurements in limited circumstances. In the event of a violation of the legislation on natural monopolies and regulated markets, ANMR issues binding instructions for market entities to eliminate such violations. In the event that a regulated entity’s actions cause damage to customers, ANMR has the right to set a reduced (compensatory) tariff in favour of the violated party.

The activity of electricity generation, transmission and distribution, operation of power plants, power grids and substations, as well as electricity purchase for resale, are all subject to licensing. The state body authorized to issue licences for such types of activity is ANMR; prior to 2008, this was a function of the MEMR.

Competition

Kazakhstan privatized most of its power sector with the exception of high voltage transmission. Around 97% of power plants in Kazakhstan are privately owned.  State owned electricity companies such as KEGOC, Kazakhstan Wholesale Electric Power Market (KOREM), and Samruk-Energo, are managed by the National Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna. Large power stations: Ekibastuzskaya GRES-2, Zhambylskaya GRES, Bukhtarminskaya GES, Shulbinskaya GES, Ust’-Kamenogorskaya GES, Shardarinskaya GES, Almatyenergo (or Almaty Power Consolidated, APC), in whole accumulating 28% of generation capacity, are managed by Samruk-Energo. Shulbinskaya GES and Ust’-Kamenogorskaya GES are under the concession holding by AES Corporation till 2015.

KEGOC is 100% government-owned transmission company. Kazakhstan built two north-south and north-west transmission lines (first in 1997 and the second in 2009) and connected its southern and western regions with main energy resources in north and decreased dependence from neighbouring countries. There are 29 regional distributing companies.

The government does not regulate prices for electricity, and consumers have free choice among providers of electric power. Wholesale electricity prices are determined by the market, which is administrated by the market operator JSC KOREM.

Energy efficiency

Kazakhstan has a room for improving its level of energy efficiency. Potential for enhancement of energy efficiency in industry is high (approx. from 10 to up to 30%); the main reasons are usage of outdated technologies and equipment. Kazakhstan’s total primary energy supply divided by gross domestic product (TPES/GDP) -an indicator used by the International Energy Agency (IEA)- is 1.84, in the same class as in Russia (1.65), but many times higher than Western Europe (0.17).  The figures confirm the high intensive consumption of energy in the country.

Capacity concerns

Around 15% of electricity generated is lost during transmission, owing to the dilapidated state of Kazakhstan's infrastructure. Some 94% of gas turbines, 57% of steam turbines and 33% of boiler plants have been in use for over 20 years. With consumption rising and the country's power stations in need of rehabilitation, between USD 15bn and USD 20bn in investment in the generating sector—including for the construction of new power stations—will be required by 2015, according to government sources. An additional 8.2 GW in generating capacity will be added.

Government agencies

Committee of Governmental Energetic Surveillance Within the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Committee of Governmental Energetic Surveillance is responsible for the technical supervision of the energy generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption. Furthermore the draft law on energy efficiency envisages that the committee will be the responsible government agency related to energy efficiency.

Energy regulation role

On 13 October 2007 the Agency on Competition Protection (ACP) was established and replaced the abrogated Committee on Competition Protection.

Ownership

Electricity Kazakhstan is one of the first countries of former Soviet Union that has developed a functioning electric power market. As a result of the reforms in the 90s, the following milestones were reached:

   Division of power sector into competitive entities and regulated monopolies;
   Large scale privatization of generation;
   Creation of the Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company (KEGOC);
   Formation of regional distribution companies (RECs).

The Concept of further development of market relations in the Kazakhstan power sector was approved in February of 2004. The Kazakhstan Electricity Law was passed in July 2004, providing framework for power market development.

Petroleum and Gas Market participants in the gas sector are: the vertically integrated state oil and gas company, JSC NC KazMunaiGaz; large independent (private) gas producers such as TengizShevroil and Karachaganak Integrated Organisation; the main transportation network owned by JSC KazTransGaz (100% shares of which belong to JSC NC KazMunaiGaz); local gas distribution networks, suppliers and customers. JSC KazTransGaz owns packages of shares and acts as managing company for a group of gas and gas transportation companies, the main ones being:

   JSC “Intergas Central Asia” which is an operator of main gas transportation
   JSC “KazTransGaz Aimak” engaged in natural gas distribution in the regions of the country and its sale to companies, organisations and the public
   several other local distribution companies

In addition to the KazTransGaz system, gas distribution in certain regions is carried out by other local companies too, but their influence upon the gas market is insignificant. Kazakhstan’s gas market is not open to competition. Gas supply is carried out based on gas supply contracts concluded between the suppliers and the consumers. Gas transportation is carried out based on a gas transportation contract. A contract for gas transportation is proposed and, as a rule, the transporter submits it to the supplier who previously filed an application for gas transportation.

Degree of independence

Management of ANMR is carried out by its Chairman, who bears a personal liability for work of ANMR, and also by a collective management body, ANMR’s board. The Board is made up of the Chairman of the Agency, his deputies and representatives of the Government. Board decisions are adopted by a simple majority of votes of the board members.

The Chairman, his deputies (on the recommendation of the Chairman) and members of the board, are appointed by the Government. There are no specific term lengths for the Chairman, Deputies or representatives of the Government and no apparent limits on reappointment. Members of the Board of Directors, including the Chairman, may be dismissed, without explanation, by the Government.

ANMR also has an Executive Secretary, who is responsible for implementation of the policy formed by the Chairman of ANMR and who is assigned for an indefinite term and is discharged by the President, with the concurrence of the Prime-Minister.  ANMR is fully financed from the state budget according to the budget proceedings stipulated by the law.

Energy debates

Kazakhstan is partner of The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program.  CAREC is a partnership of 10 countries and 6 multilateral institutions working to promote development through cooperation, leading to accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction. By promoting and facilitating regional cooperation in the priority areas of transport, trade facilitation, trade policy, and energy.  CAREC efforts on energy have three pillars:

   energy demand–supply balance and infrastructure constraints;
   regional dispatch and regulatory development;
   and analysis of energy–water linkages.

       http://www.carecinstitute.org/index.php?page=energy

Energy framework

Law on Energy Saving and National Energy Saving Programme Coming into force in 1997, the law intended to regulate social relations in the energy saving sphere in order to create economic and organizational conditions for effective use of fuel and energy resources in the Republic of Kazakhstan and for environmental protection. Among energy saving objects, it covers processes related to production, processing, transportation, generation, storage and use of all types of fuel and energy resources, thermal and electric energy, i.е. including supply and distribution of heat through district heating networks.

The National Energy Saving Programme was adopted in 1996. However, neither the Programme nor the Law on Energy Saving gave the expected results due to lack of specifically set goals, incentives for energy saving, effective by-laws and functioning administrative bodies for implementation of energy saving programmes. Along with shortcomings, of course there are some positive points: the law addresses such matters as raising public awareness of energy saving, introduction of fuel and energy consumption standards and certification of equipment, etc.

Law on Power Industry The Law on Power Industry is dated 9 July 2004. This law regulates social relations arising in course of generation, transmission and use of electric and thermal energy.

Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources In June 2009 Kazakhstan's parliament passed the final amendments to the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources, which established a full regulatory framework for the division. The law obliges all electricity transmission companies to allow the renewables sector to connect to the grid. In addition, the legislation states that 5% of Kazakhstan's total energy balance must be renewable by 2024.

Kyoto Protocol Kazakhstan signed the Kyoto Protocol in March 1999, and this was finally approved by parliament in February 2009, making it the last signatory country to ratify the treaty.  President Nazarbayev ratified the document formally into law in June 2009. Kazakhstan will now be able to sell emission rights to countries that have exceeded their pollution quotas. According to the country's own latest assessment (2009) for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), its total greenhouse gas emissions in 2005 amounted to the equivalent of 237m tonnes of carbon dioxide, or about 74% of the level in 1990. The energy industry accounted for 83% of the total, up from 80% in 1990. Under this assessment, most of the proposed reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the forecast period can be achieved by upgrading existing generating capacity to make it more fuel-efficient and cleaner, a process that will require substantial investment. The assessment also envisions greater use of coal from 2015 onwards, because of its cost advantages over other fuels, including natural gas.

National Programme for Accelerated Industrial and Innovation Development The National Programme for Accelerated Industrial and Innovation Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the period from 2010 to 2014. One of the main targets of the Programme is to reduce energy intensity of industry in order to achieve competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s economy. The programme also sets the target of achieving 1% share of electricity produced from RES by 2015. 

National Programme for Transition to Sustainable Development The National Programme for Transition to Sustainable Development calls for increasing RES’ share in Kazakhstan’s energy balance to 5% by 2024.

Reliance

Owing to the Soviet-era structure of Kazakhstan's gas and electricity distribution networks, which are concentrated in the northern and western regions, closest to the main sources, Kazakhstan is forced to import both resources for the southern regions.  The country imports electricity from Russia, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan, owing to the region's lack of installed generating capacity.

Role of the government

In March 2010, several ministries were reorganized; some of them were dissolved and their functions transferred to other agencies, and some new ones emerged. Thus, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) was reorganized into the Ministry of Oil and Gas and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (МIТ) of Kazakhstan was reorganized into the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies (MINT).  All matters related to the national energy complex will be regulated by the MINT. Prior to the reorganization, MEMR had the Department for Energy Saving, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources, its activity was focused on coordination of the national policy in the sphere of energy saving, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. After reorganization, the management of energy saving and energy efficiency was established within the Department of New Technologies and Administration of Usage of Renewable Energy Sources in the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies.

Ministry of Environmental Protection The Ministry of Environmental Protection plays an important role in the state management of the energy sector and is responsible for climate change issues.

Regulatory framework

Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Electricity of January 1, 2009.

   Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No.165-IV «About Support of Use of Renewable Energy of July 4, 2009. Heat  and electricity cogeneration are handled separately
   Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 588-II “On Power Industry” of July 9, 2004
   Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 210 “On Energy Saving” of December 25, 1997 and amended in 2006, with new amendments under consideration. There is developed a draft of the new Law on Energy Saving and Enhancement of Energy Efficiency by Ministry of Industry and New Technologies.

Regulatory barriers

Despite the efforts made by the government to support a positive environment for RE and EE, international observers point out administrative restrictions for their development:

   There is currently neither a national nor a municipal energy efficiency agency in place.
   The Law on Energy Savings of 1997 has never been set into force and there are neither targets nor any action plan for EE.
   EE and the deployment of RES have a moderate role in the National Energy Programme of Kazakhstan.

Incentives for RES have been introduced recently by the adoption of the new Law on Renewables, however the introduction of project based tariffs for electricity from renewable energy sources might open the door to discrimination and corruption.  

Energy regulator

A separate regulatory authority, the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Regulation of Natural Monopolies (ANMR) was established in 1999. It is responsible for state regulation of activity of natural monopolies and prices of goods (works, services) on regulated markets. ANMR has territorial bodies, which are legal entities.  http://www.regulator.kz/

Its predecessor organisation, the State Committee of Kazakh SSR on the support of the new economic structures and limitation of monopolistic activity (Kazakhstan’s first anti-monopoly body), was established in 1991 to support the new economic structures and restrain monopolistic activity. On 29 September 2004, the functions of natural monopolies’ regulation and protection of competition were separated, resulting in the transfer of the pricing authority to ANMR and authority for protection of competition to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, within which the Committee on Competition Protection was established.

Renewable energy

Hydropower Hydropower accounts for approximately 12% of Kazakhstan’s total generating capacity. Average annual hydropower generation in Kazakhstan amounts to 7.78 billion kWh. By absolute indices of potential hydro resources Kazakhstan is third amongst CIS countries.  Hydro resources are spread throughout the country, but there are three major districts: the Irtysh River basin with main tributaries (Bukhtarma, Uba, Ulba, Kurchum, Kardzhil, South-Eastern zone with the Ili River basin, and the Southern zone – basins of Syrdaria, Talas and Chu rivers.

Programs of small hydropower development in Kazakhstan include reconstruction and renovation of previously constructed small HPPs, adding small HPPs to water management projects with already existing water retaining structures with the aim of utilizing waste releases, and construction of new small HPPs for power supply of users in the outlying districts of the power system. Favourable factors for the development of hydro potential are:

   Interest of regional authorities in small hydro;
   Private investors of small hydro are provided with state short-term credits;
   There are some privileges (tax holidays) in realization of investment projects

Despite the interest to promote small hydropower plants, Kazakhstan currently has several hundred MW of capacity under construction in the form of large hydroelectric power plants.

Wind Exceptionally rich in wind resources, about 50% of Kazakhstan’s territory has average wind speeds about 4-5 m/sec at a height of 30m. Some calculations estimate the wind potential of Kazakhstan around 1,820 billion KW/h per year spread over most of the country. Windy sites are mostly located in the Caspian Sea area of Atyray and Mangistay oblasts; and in central and southern Kazakhstan. A country wide-wind atlas is available. With a density of wind capacity about 10 MW/sq.km, there is a possibility to install thousands MW of wind farms in Kazakhstan. The success in developing wind energy is largely dependent of the availability of reliable meteorological data on wind potential.  Such measurements have been accomplished for Djungar Gates and Chylyk Corridor in a frame of the UNDP/GEF project on wind energy in 1998-2000. Thus, in Djungar Gates, wind potential is estimated as 525W/m2.  In Chylyk corridor, it is about 240W/m2. Power production of wind turbines in these places could achieve 4400kW/h/MW and 3200kW/h/MW respectively. Both sites are considered ideal for large wind farm construction.

Solar The solar energy resource potential is quite great for the vast territory of the largest Central Asian Republic. The number of sunny hours is 2,200-3,000 per year, and the energy of solar radiation is 1,300-1,800 kW/m2/year. Despite the very favourable conditions for solar energy, there is little use of the resource. In 2002, a demonstration solar water heating system was installed at an infant orphanage in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan. As of June 2009, no other solar systems have been planned or installed.

Biomass The area of Kazakhstan occupied by forests reaches more than 10 million hectares that represents 4% of the whole territory of country, from which 4.7 million hectares are covered by saxaul. In 1990, the volume of logging in forests made up about 3 million clear m3 per year.  Wood processing at woodworking factories as well as the wood, which is used as firewood, make up almost 1.3 million clear m3 or 1 million tons. Thus, the energy potential of timber waste comprises more than 200 thousand toe.

Geothermal Kazakhstan possesses a large resource of middle and low temperature thermal water. As of 2007, Kazakhstan is not producing power from geothermal resources.  Evaluation of geothermal resources was carried out in accordance with testing results for numerous wells drilled for oil and gas exploration and production. The most prospective geothermal reservoirs were found in Cretaceous formations in the South and South west of Kazakhstan.