The electric power enterprises within Almaty energy complex of “Samruk-Energy” JSC are concluding the autumn-winter heating period of 2022-2023.
Throughout this season, the power stations ensured an uninterrupted supply of heat and electricity to the residents of Almaty city and Almaty region. However, the accidents that occurred during the winter at thermal power plants and heating networks in various cities of the country are increasingly causing concerns among power engineers at Samruk-Energy.
As highlighted by “Almaty Power Plants” JSC (APP), despite the challenging autumn and winter conditions, the company's enterprises delivered heat in its entirety as per consumer demand. Approximately 20 boiler units and 13 steam turbines remained operational. Within this period, a total of 2.9 billion kWh of electricity and about 4.7 million Gcal of heat were generated.
The energy transmission company “AZhC” JSC performed works on over 2,000 km of overhead and cable lines, conducted repairs on more than 900 power transformers and substation equipment, and rehabilitated over 70 power facilities. The dedication of the company's employees contributed to the reliable operation of power plants and the maintenance of power line capacity.
Concurrently, specialists from Almaty energy complex of “Samruk-Energy” JSC are increasingly expressing concerns due to the mounting issues connected to the slow pace of commissioning new capacities and the diminishing safety margin of existing generation sources. Presently, the degree of wear of primary equipment at “APP” JSC stations stands at 78.7%.
According to industry experts, energy-producing organizations in Kazakhstan are facing financial shortages for capital repairs, ash dump construction, and the modernization, expansion, and renewal of critical assets. The current geopolitical circumstances worldwide, resulting in the disruption of historically established technological ties with manufacturers of generating equipment, are exacerbating this situation. Ultimately, this contributes to escalated costs for energy-producing entities. For instance, the cost of pipes for steam boilers and pipelines has surged by 236% in a span of two years.
Despite these challenges, the power engineers within “Samruk-Energy” JSC group of companies continue to fulfill their commitments to suppliers by providing uninterrupted heat and electricity. During the well-known crisis situations involving heat sources last winter in several cities of the country, specialists from the companies under the power holding company's umbrella assisted in resolving accidents and conducting technical inspections of energy sources and heating plants in Ekibastuz, as well as at Karaganda CHP-1, CHP-3, Karaganda GRES-1, CHP- 2 in Temirtau city, and Balkhash TPP. "Samruk-Energy" JSC has initiated the development of a feasibility study for construction of CHP-3 in Semey city.