Astana traditionally hosts Ironman Kazakhstan competitions. This is one of the most spectacular triathlons in the world, attracting athletes and fans from all over the world.

Open water swimming, long distance cycling and marathon are the three disciplines that make up Ironman Kazakhstan.

The competition begins with swimming in the river for a distance of 3.8 kilometers.A 180-kilometer bike competition follows this. The 42.2 kilometer marathon race is the last and final component. The competitors must use all of their remaining strength during this phase, but it is here that they can surpass their physical limitations and cross the finish line.

Ironman Kazakhstan needs participants to be mentally tough and determined in addition to physically fit. For months leading up to the competition, athletes train, conquering every obstacle in their path, and achieving their objectives. To enhance their performance and break personal records, the majority of participants compete against themselves.

Traditionally, “Samruk-Energy” JSC athletes participated in these competitions as well:

Aidar Ryskulov, Managing Director for Economy and Finance;

Yerken Akenev, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board for Legal Affairs and Risk Management, “Ekibastuz SDPP-2 Station” JSC;

Rashid Eskhozhin, Director General of “First Wind Power Plant” LLP;

Yerlan Bakhtiyar, Chief expert of the Market Development and Sales Department;

 Dauren Myrzakhanov, Chief manager of RES and Distribution Department;

Athletes-power engineers competed in Ironman Kazakhstan with outstanding results. All three of them completed the tough distances of cycling, running, and swimming.

Yerlan Bakhtiyar's performance in the complete marathon:

          Swimming: 1 hour 28 minutes 40 seconds.

          Bicycle: 5 hours 49 minutes 13 seconds.

          Running: 5 hours 7 minutes 38 seconds.

"The race was excellent! I want to express my gratitude to everyone who worked on planning such a sporting event as Ironman; you made us extremely pleased! Also, a big thank you to everyone who helped us along the way; it was a huge assist in getting through such a challenging test as finishing the entire Ironman distance! Although I have always respected and admired the Ironmen, yesterday I truly grasped what it means to be one. I respect you even more now”- Yerlan expressed his feelings.

The Half Ironman, also known as the Ironman 70.3, is half of a full Ironman triathlon. This  triathlon comprises 1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling and 21.1 km of running.

Aidar Ryskulov's results in the Ironman 70.3 half marathon:

Swimming: 50 minutes 16 seconds.

Bicycle: 2 hours 57 minutes 16 seconds.

Running: 2 hours 9 minutes 52 seconds

Dauren Myrzakhanov (Ironman 70.3 Half Marathon):

Swimming: 1 hour 0 minutes 11 seconds.

Bicycle: 3 hours 49 minutes 24 seconds.

Running: 2 hours 39 minutes 1 second.

The Ironman Relay is a competition format in which a team of athletes competes together in all three disciplines of the triathlon: swimming, cycling and running. In a relay race, each competitor completes only one of the disciplines, as opposed to individual participation, where one participant completes all three distances.

Rashid Eskhozhin and Yerken Akenev took part in the Ironman relay race in 6 hours 4 minutes 49 seconds.

In addition to being a sporting event, Ironman Kazakhstan is a celebration of an active lifestyle and a spirit of competitiveness. The spectators' fervent support for the competitors fosters an upbeat atmosphere and motivates everyone to perform their best. This occasion pulls people together by demonstrating to them that any challenge can be overcome with determination and adversity.

Mashirov Yerik Kanysbekovich has been appointed as the Chairman of the Management Board of “APP” JSC by the decision of “Samruk-Energy” JSC Management Board. 

On July 3, 2023, the new head of “APP” JSC was introduced to the team by Kairat Maxutov, the Chairman of “Samruk-Energy” JSC Management Board.

Yerik Mashirov has previously worked in the quasi-governmental sector.

From 2017 to 2018, he served as the Deputy Chairman of the Management Board responsible for procurement at “APP” JSC.

Samruk-Energy's internal Spartakiad, which served as the qualifying stage for the Superfinal VIII Spartakiad of Samruk-Kazyna was held from June 16 to June 18. “Samruk-Energy” JSC subsidiaries and affiliates employees participated in the competitions, striving for victory in various sports.

Olga Shishigina, a well-known track and field athlete from Kazakhstan and the country's Honored Master of Sports, served as the competition's main referee. Olga Vasilyevna is an Olympic champion from the 2000 Sydney Games and a world champion in the 100-meter hurdles. Her participation in the Olympics motivated the competitors and added excitement to the event.

The outcomes of several sporting competitions are as follows:

Football:

1st place – “Bogatyr Komir” LLP

2nd place - "SDPP-1" LLP

3rd place – “AZhC” JSC

Volleyball (men):

1st place – “AZhC” JSC

2nd place – “APP” JSC

3rd place - "SDPP-1" LLP

Volleyball (women):

1st place – “Bogatyr Komir” LLP

2nd place - "SDPP-2" JSC

3rd place - "SDPP-1" LLP

Basketball:

1st place – “APP” JSC

2nd place – “AZhC” JSC

3rd place - "SDPP-1" LLP

Asyk Atu:

1st place – “Bogatyr Komir” LLP

2nd place – “AZhC” JSC

3rd place - "SDPP-1" LLP

Kairat Maksutov was appointed as the Chairman of the Management Board of “Samruk-Energy” JSC by the resolution of “Samruk-Kazyna” SWF” JSC Management Board.

The Chairman of the Board of “Samruk-Kazyna” JSC, Nurlan Zhakupov, introduced the new CEO to the group.

Maxutov Kairat Berikovich has two higher educations – one in economics and the other in energy sector. He has worked in banking and the quasi-public sectors over the years.

 He served as Deputy Chairman of the Board of “Samruk-Energy” JSC from 2009 to 2018.

Since 2018, he has been leading holding companies in the energy industry up to the present time.

The winner of the competition for processing ash and slag waste at A. Zhakutov CHP-2 was awarded in Almaty. The event took place with the participation of representatives from Almaty city mayor administration, the Environmental Department for Almaty city, the media, “Arka Development’ LLP, and “Almaty Power Plants” JSC (APP).

As a reminder, on June 1, 2023, “APP” JSC announced the results of the competition for the search for scientific and technical projects aimed at processing and/or disposal of ash and slag waste following hydraulic ash removal at Almaty CHP. Seven applications were received from potential participants, thoroughly examined by the competition commission, which included representatives from the city mayor administration, the Environmental Department for Almaty city, technical experts from research institutions, and “APP” JSC. "Arka Development" LLP was selected as the competition's winner by a unanimous vote after the propositions were considered.

The proposed project aims to construct a waste processing complex adjacent to Almaty CHP-2, with an annual processing capacity of 300,000 tons.

The initiative promises to yield four high-value products from ash and slag waste:

• Unburned coal (used as briquetted products for boilers)
• Magnetite (a vital raw material for the metallurgical industry, serving as a filler for strong concretes)
• Microspheres (premium fillers for plastics, gypsum, ceramics, and lightweight cements)
• Aluminosilicate product (a key raw material for advanced construction materials)

The Republic of Kazakhstan's present environmental legislation mandates that by 2030 and 2050, respectively, the share of waste processing should rise to 40% and up to 50%.

By implementing this project, it will be possible to address challenges related to deep processing of the ash and slag waste produced at the Almaty CHP, which will allow for the extraction of up to 99% of their valuable components, the reduction of the area of ash dumps, and finally their entire reclamation.

   A Memorandum on future collaboration between “APP” JSC and “Arka Development” LLP was signed during the event. The winner of the competition for the best offer for the processing of ash and slag waste was awarded a certificate worth 1 000 000 tenge by “APP” JSC.

The Abay region's fire victims received 200 million tenge from Samruk-Kazyna Group. Nurlan Zhakupov, the head of the Fund, announced this on his Twitter account.

“The Abay region is experiencing devastating forest fires, and the entire nation of Kazakhstan is concerned for its citizens there. The head of the state has instructed to provide comprehensive assistance to the citizens. As a sovereign wealth fund, we cannot remain indifferent to this disaster”, -  wrote Nurlan Zhakupov on Twitter.

The funds will be directed towards aiding the residents of evacuated settlements and supporting the specialists involved in firefighting and its aftermath. The amount will be disbursed through the corporate charitable fund, Samruk-Kazyna Trust.

A Credit Agreement was signed between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and “Almaty Power Plants” JSC (APP), a company within the Kazakhstani power holding company, “Samruk-Energy” JSC, today in Astana.  The document aims to finance the project "Modernization of Almaty CHP-2 with reduction of impact on the environment," which has now entered the practical implementation stage.

The event was attended by Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Board of “Samruk-Kazyna” JSC, Masatsugu Asakawa, President of ADB, and Serik Tutebayev, Chairman of the Board of “Samruk-Energy” JSC.  The loan agreement totaling 98 billion tenge was signed by Yerlan Kirkinbayev, Chairman of the Board of “APP” JSC and Shantanu Chakraborty, Director of the Private Sector Infrastructure Projects Department for South, Central, and West Asia at ADB.

For “APP” JSC, the owner of Almaty CHP-2, ADB stands as the third financial partner to sign a Credit Agreement for the implementation of the project. Previously, corresponding financing agreements for the construction of a new gas station in Almaty city near the old CHP-2 were signed with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK).

According to Yerlan Kirkinbayev, the head of APP, signing the loan agreement with ADB resolves all financing issues related to the project. The CHP-2 will undergo complete conversion to natural gas, discontinuing the use of coal as fuel.

The project for the modernization and conversion of Almaty CHP-2 to gas is being implemented with the support of “Samruk-Kazyna” JSC. As part of the signing of the credit agreement between APP and ADB, a Guarantee Agreement was signed between “Samruk-Kazyna” JSC and ADB. According to experts from the Kazakhstani Fund, the signed document will minimize risks and improve the conditions for project financing.

As a reminder, previously, following a two-stage open international tender conducted in accordance with international standards and EBRD rules, the contractor for the construction of a new gas turbine power plant was determined to be a consortium of three prominent Chinese companies specializing in energy projects. In late May of the current year,  "APP" JSC entered into an EPC contract with the winning consortium for the complete execution of the project, including engineering, equipment supply, construction, installation, commissioning, and operation.

In addition to the modernization of Almaty CHP-2, APP's project portfolio includes the construction of a 545 MW combined-cycle gas power plant at  the site of Almaty CHP-3, the reconstruction of Almaty CHP-1 with the construction of ССGT unit with a capacity of up to 250 MW. Furthermore, we have initiated the development of projects for the modernization of Kapchagay HPP with the construction of a counter-regulator on the Ili River and the reconstruction of HPP Cascade.

In April 2023, changes were made to the "Power industry" law in Kazakhstan, introducing the "Single Buyer" target market model for centralized electricity purchase and sale, along with a real-time balancing electricity market.

The Ministry of Energy is currently working on appropriate amendments to the by-laws.

In response, a two-day working meeting was held on May 25-26, 2023 in Almaty city, at “AlmatyEnergoSbyt” LLP office. Representatives from the Head office, “Samruk-Energy” JSC, “Ekibastuz SDPP-1 named after B. Nurzhanov” LLP, “Ekibastuz SDPP-2 Plant” JSC, “Almaty Power Plants” JSC, “Moynak HPP” JSC, “Samruk Green Energy” LLP, “Alatau Zharyk Company” JSC, “AlmatyEnergoSbyt” LLP, “Shardarinsk HPP” JSC, “First Wind Power Plant” LLP, and “Qazaq Green Power” LLP arrived to take part in the development, review, and discussion of by-laws.

The adopted amendments to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On power industry," which regulate the transition to the new target market model "Single Purchaser," involving centralized purchase and sale of electricity, and the operation of the balancing electricity market in real-time mode from July 1, 2023, were considered during the working meeting.

Additionally, discussions were held about the possibility of creating a balance provider, responsible for financial settlements in the balancing electricity market for both its own imbalances and those of other electricity market participants.

During the course of the working meeting, participants further engaged in discussions regarding the market changes associated with the implementation of the Single Purchaser and the balancing electricity market in the RK. Additionally, they addressed the modifications to the Rules governing the provision of services by the system operator and the organization and operation of the market for system and auxiliary services.

The working meeting proved to be effective, with consultations aimed at preparing for outreach campaigns to regions between May 29 and June 13, 2023, involving “KEGOC” JSC, “KECMO” JSC, and “SFC” LLP, to ensure information dissemination among entities of the wholesale electricity market. A list of questions and proposals for draft laws and regulations regarding the Single Buyer and the balancing electricity market was also compiled.

Samruk-Energy green assets are capturing attention at the Astana International Forum.

The Astana International Forum, held in Astana on June 8-9, is witnessing active participation from “Samruk-Energy” JSC, which is a part of “Samruk-Kazyna” Sovereign Wealth Fund's portfolio companies. It actively showcases its "green" assets, emphasizing its commitment to environmental sustainability and the advancement of renewable energy sources.

At the Astana International Forum, “Samruk-Energy” JSC is highlighting noteworthy assets such as the Moynak HPP, Kapshagay HPP, Shardarinsk HPP, along with “First Wind Power Plant” LLP (WPP), “Energia Semirechia” LLP (WPP), “Samruk-Green Energy” LLP (SPP, WPP) others.

“Samruk-Energy” JSC is proud of its accomplishments in green energy production. In 2022, these renewable energy facilities generated a total of 417.5 mln. kWh, surpassing the previous year's results by 28.3% (325.3mln. kWh).

Significantly, “Samruk-Energy” JSC holds a substantial market share in Kazakhstan's clean electricity sector. In 2022, the company's share accounted for 8.3% of the country's total renewable energy generation, confirming its leading role in the development of green energy and its commitment to reducing the carbon footprint and ensuring environmental sustainability in Kazakhstan.

“Samruk-Energy” JSC will continue to invest in innovative and environmentally friendly solutions, contributing to the diversification of Kazakhstan's energy sector and supporting the achievement of long-term climate goals.

 "Development Bank of Kazakhstan" JSC (hereinafter referred to as "DBK" or the "Bank") has entered into a credit line agreement with "Almaty Power Plants" JSC (hereinafter referred to as "APP"), a company within the structure of power holding company "Samruk-Energy" JSC. The financial resources, allocated alongside other creditors such as the Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, will be utilized for the modernization of CHP- 2 named after Zhakutov in Almaty.

Upon completion of the project, scheduled for the end of 2026, the installed electric capacity of the power plant's equipment will increase from 510 MW to 600 MW, while the thermal capacity will reach 957 Gcal.

Simultaneously, transitioning the power plant to a more environmentally friendly fuel source – natural gas instead of coal – will reduce the station's adverse impact on the environment. This shift will completely eliminate emissions of sulfur dioxide and ash into the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will be reduced by one and a half times.

"Although APP is a quasi-state company, DBK became involved in the project for two reasons. Firstly, there is co-financing involving international financial institutions. Secondly, the project aligns with ESG principles, reducing the power plant's environmental footprint while enhancing the reliability of energy supply to the Almaty metropolitan area. The environmental agenda of this project played a significant role in our decision to provide financing," commented Marat Elibayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board at DBK.

As emphasized by Asel Arginbayeva, Managing Director for Economy and Finance at APP, "We are systematically progressing through the stages of preparing for the implementation of the aforementioned project. The signing of today's agreement is an important step in advancing the project, particularly in terms of commencing construction within the set timeframe. We are embarking on a new stage of collaborative work."

The credit agreement was signed by Asel Arginbayeva, Managing Director for Economy and Finance at APP, and Marat Talgatovich Elibayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board at DBK.