Tokayev orders gas coverage expansion to 80% by 2030
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has ordered the government to increase Kazakhstan's gas coverage rate from the current 65% to 80%. The announcement was made during a meeting on the country's energy infrastructure development.
The Gasification Target
President Tokayev set a target to raise Kazakhstan's gas coverage from about 65% to 80%, calling it a critical and urgent task. He emphasized that hydrocarbons form the backbone of the national economy and provide affordable heat and power to cities and villages. The government spent 112.4 billion tenge on regional gasification in one year, building over 2,000 km of pipelines.
Regional Disparities
As of 2026, 13.1 million people (64.2% of the population) have access to natural gas. The highest coverage is in Atyrau and Mangystau regions at 99.8%, followed by West Kazakhstan at 99.7% and Almaty city at 99.6%. In contrast, East Kazakhstan region has only 3.3% coverage, while Karaganda (5.8%), Ulytau (4.3%), and Akmola (15.3%) regions also lag significantly. Three regions — North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, and Abai — remain completely ungasified, according to the Ranking agency.
Infrastructure Milestones
The Energy Ministry highlighted the early completion of the Taldykorgan–Usharal main gas pipeline, finished 1 year and 4 months ahead of schedule. The pipeline will supply natural gas to 84 settlements in Zhetysu region, raising its gasification level to 76%. The project was described as a significant event in the energy sector.
What's Next
The government is expected to present a detailed plan to achieve the 80% target in the coming months. It remains unclear how the remaining ungasified regions, particularly in the north and east, will be connected to the gas network given the high infrastructure costs.
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Tokayev orders gas coverage expansion to 80% by 2030
