The Kazakhstan Government has approved an investment agreement with Kurchatov GRES to develop a 700MW condensing power plant in Kurchatov in the Abai Region. This project has a reported value of $1.93bn (KZT881bn). Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov signed the government resolution that grants approval for the project.
Capacity and Timeline
The new facility is set to feature two 350MW power units. These units will come online in stages, with full commissioning expected by 2032.
Furthermore, the government stated that the completed plant will have the capacity to generate up to five billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Also, it is expected to generate approximately 4,400 jobs.
According to official statements, the power station will employ modern steam-power equipment designed for elevated pressures and temperatures and will utilise clean coal technologies.
Additionally, plans for the site include systems for gas cleaning, dust suppression and emission filtration, aligning with Kazakhstan’s environmental requirements.
The Qazinform News Agency cited the government’s press service as saying that the investment agreement is part of ongoing efforts to expand coal-fired power generation, as instructed by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Significance of the Project
The project is also intended to strengthen the reliability of Kurchatov’s power supply and provide additional generating capacity to support further development of scientific, industrial and urban infrastructure in the city.
Also, Kurchatov is currently home to significant scientific infrastructure. These include the Nuclear Technology Park, the National Nuclear Centre, various research reactors, laboratories and the KTM fusion tokamak.
Moreover, the government said that the new facility is expected to serve as an energy foundation for the expansion of these and other local assets.
Lastly, in another energy project that will strengthen Kazakhstan’s energy security, in June 2026, Masdar began building a 1GW wind farm in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region, its first renewable energy initiative in the country.
Project Factsheet
Project Name: Kurchatov Condensing Power Plant (GRES Kurchatov)
Location: Kurchatov, Abai Region, Kazakhstan
Project Type: Coal-fired condensing thermal power plant
Developer / Entity: GRES Kurchatov LLP
Approving Authority: Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan / Government resolution signed by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov
Strategic Context: Direct instruction from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to expand national coal generation
Financials and Execution
- Estimated Investment: $1.93 billion (KZT 881 billion)
Total Capacity: 700 MW (2 x 350 MW power units)
Annual Output Capacity: Up to 5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year
Expected Full Commissioning: By 2032 (phased/staged deployment)
Job Creation: Estimated 4,400 jobs
Technical and Environmental Specs
Power Generation Equipment: Modern steam-power equipment engineered for high pressures and temperatures
Fuel and Processing: Clean coal technologies
Environmental Controls: Multi-stage gas cleaning, dust suppression, and emission filtration complying with Kazakhstan’s Environmental Code and Best Available Techniques (BAT)
Key Local Stakeholders and Scientific Assets Supported
- KTM Fusion Tokamak: Experimental spherical tokamak for nuclear fusion research
- National Nuclear Centre (NNC): Key research hub operating multiple research reactors and laboratories
- Nuclear Technology Park: Commercialization and scientific development zone
- Local Municipal and Industrial Grid: Strengthens power reliability to drive ongoing urban and industrial growth in Kurchatov
Project Team
GRES Kurchatov LLP (LLP “State Regional Power Plant Kurchatov”): The project developer, operator, and primary investment party executing the investment agreement.
Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan: The government ministry overseeing the power sector, which tendered the project, selected the developer, and signed the operational contracts.
Government of Kazakhstan: The approving authority led by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, which issued the official government resolution authorizing the investment agreement.
Akimat of the Abai Region: The local regional administration responsible for regional infrastructure integration, land allocation, and environmental compliance support within the Abai Region.
Leave a Reply