Kazakhstan's AI Data Center Valley to Run on Ekibastuz Coal
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Kazakhstan's Data Center Valley AI campus near Ekibastuz is expected to reach one gigawatt and consume up to 8.8 terawatt-hours annually by 2027. The project, led by Firebird.ai and Kazakhtelecom, will rely on coal from the nearby Bogatyr mine, which plans to raise output from 42 million tonnes in 2024 to over 56 million by 2032. The Ministry of Energy acknowledged that generation capacity is not keeping pace with demand, with a 1.5 terawatt-hour shortfall in 2025.
Key Facts
- Data Center Valley near Ekibastuz is expected to reach one gigawatt and consume up to 8.8 terawatt-hours annually, about 7% of Kazakhstan's current electricity generation.
- The initial 50-megawatt facility is scheduled to enter service in June 2027.
- Kazakhstan's 2025 electricity shortfall reached 1.5 terawatt-hours, forcing imports mainly from Russia.
- Bogatyr Komir plans to raise annual coal production from 42 million tonnes in 2024 to more than 56 million by 2032.
- Amazon and G42 have been named as companies entering the ecosystem, while Kazakhstan has held talks with Microsoft and OpenAI.
Project Scale and Timeline
Data Center Valley is a vast construction site a few kilometers from Ekibastuz, a mining city in northern Kazakhstan. The project is expected to reach one gigawatt and consume up to 8.8 terawatt-hours a year, around 7% of Kazakhstan's current electricity generation. Development will be gradual, with an initial 50-megawatt facility scheduled to enter service in June 2027. U.S.-based Firebird.ai and state-controlled Kazakhtelecom are leading the industrial project.
Energy Supply and Coal
The Ministry of Energy acknowledged that economic and industrial growth in Kazakhstan is outpacing the commissioning and modernization of generating capacity. In 2025, the gap between domestic generation and consumption reached 1.5 terawatt-hours, forcing the country to import electricity, mainly from Russia. Kazakhtelecom chairman Bagdat Musin said Kazakhstan is turning Ekibastuz coal into export digital revenue. Bogatyr Komir CEO Yevgeny Masternak said Ekibastuz is a smart choice because energy is abundant and cheap, and proximity limits transmission losses. The mine plans to raise annual production from 42 million tonnes in 2024 to more than 56 million by 2032.
Commercial Partners
No major named customer contract has been announced, although Firebird says it holds guaranteed service contracts with global players. Amazon and G42 have been named as companies entering the ecosystem. Kazakhstan has also held talks with Microsoft and OpenAI.
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Kazakhstan's AI Data Center Valley to Run on Ekibastuz Coal
