Dismantling works have been completed by 100% and installation of the new technological equipment has commenced at Ekibastuz SDPP-1 named after B. Nurzhanov, where the project for restoration of 500 MW power unit No. 1is underway. Commissioning and launch of rehabilitated power unit is scheduled for December 2023.
“Samruk-Energy” JSC, which owns the plant, attaches great importance to the project. Its successful implementation, as well as the ongoing work at other energy facilities of the company, should reduce the emerging power shortage in the industry and increase the country's energy security.
As it is known, over the past four years (2017-2020), the average growth in electricity consumption in the republic was 4%, which is equivalent to an increase in electricity demand of about 600 MW annually. Experts are witnessing a rapid decline in available power reserves. The projected balance of electricty shows a deficit in production capacity in Kazakhstan since 2023, while a shortage in regulation capacity is already available today. According to the system operator, during the autumn-winter period 2020-2021, the actual reserve of the Unified Electricity System (UES) of the Republic of Kazakhstan relative to the operating capacity was 600 MW. Industry experts fear that if the current pace is maintained, in the next heating period there will be no power reserves in the RK UES , which will result in power supply constraints.
The project for the restoration of power unit No. 1 with the installation of new electrostatic precipitators will increase the plant's capacity to 4000 MW and, thereby, complete the long-term process of upgrading of the SDPP’s main equipment. We would like to remind that in 2014, power unit No. 2 with a capacity of 500 MW was connected to the grid, which enabled to significantly improve Ekibastuz SDPP-1 operating performance. Prior to that, 500 MW power unit No. 8 MW was launched in July 2012.
It should be noted that to reduce expected electricity shortage, Samruk-Energy, in addition to the restoration of power unit No. 1 of ESDPP-1, plans to implement the following projects:
- commissioning of 636 MW third power unit of Ekibastuz SDPP-2;
- from 2028 to 2035, one-by-one reconstruction of units 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of Ekibastuz SDPP-1 with an increase in the total capacity by 240 MW;
- reconstruction of Almaty CHPP-3 of AlES with an increase in the installed capacity up to 450 MW and ensuring a maneuverable mode;
- reconstruction of Almaty CHP-1 of Almaty Power Plants with an increase in capacity up to 250 MW and the possibility of maneuvering until 2030;
- commissioning of 40 MW counter-regulating Kerbulak HPP in 2026, which will ensure an increase in the range of capacity regulation at the Kapshagai HPP to 300 MW;
- development of projects in Shelek corridor on development of wind and hydro potential of the region.
For reference:
Ekibastuz SDPP-1 named after B. Nurzhanov is the largest in Kazakhstan and one of the world's largest thermal power plants with an installed capacity of 4000 MW, equipped with eight power units of 500 MW each. It covers 20-23% of the total electricity consumption in the republic. Samruk-Energy, the largest electricity holding company owns 100% of equity stake of the plant.
“Samruk-Energy” JSC is the largest power holding company in Kazakhstan, 100% owned by “Samruk-Kazyna” SWF JSC. It was established in 2007. Core business: electricity and heat production; transmission, distribution and sale of electricity, power coal mining. The holding company comprises energy and coal enterprises, including “Ekibastuz SDPP-1” LLP, “Ekibastuz SDPP-2 Plant” JSC, “Bogatyr Komir” LLP, “Almaty Power Plants” JSC, “Moynak HPP” JSC, “Shardarinsk HPP” JSC, etc.
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Government relations and communications office of “Samruk-Energy” JSC.
Tel. (7172) 55-30-62;