Kazakhstan approves 881 billion tenge Kurchatov power plant investment

September 5, 2026 at 10:10 AM2 min

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Kazakhstan's government approved an investment agreement for a 700 MW coal-fired power plant in Kurchatov, Abai region, worth 881 billion tenge. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov signed the decree on September 5, 2026. The plant is scheduled to reach full capacity by 2032.

Key Facts

The investment agreement was signed between Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy and GRES Kurchatov LLP for a 700 MW condensation power plant in Kurchatov, Abai region.
The project cost is 881 billion tenge, with two 350 MW units to be commissioned in stages by 2032.
The plant is expected to generate up to 5 billion kWh of electricity annually and create about 4,400 jobs.
The station will use 'clean coal' technologies with gas cleaning, emission filtration, and dust suppression systems compliant with Kazakhstan's Environmental Code.
Kurchatov hosts the National Nuclear Center, the Nuclear Technology Park, research reactors, and the KTM tokamak, which the new plant will support with reliable power supply.

Investment Agreement

Kazakhstan's government approved an investment agreement between the Ministry of Energy and GRES Kurchatov LLP for a 700 MW condensation power plant in Kurchatov, Abai region. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov signed the corresponding decree on September 5, 2026. The project cost is 881 billion tenge, financed through private investment. The agreement aligns with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's directives on developing coal generation.

Plant Specifications

The station will consist of two 350 MW power units, with phased commissioning planned by 2032. Once at full capacity, the plant is expected to produce up to 5 billion kWh of electricity annually. The project is expected to create about 4,400 jobs, including construction and permanent positions. The facility will use modern steam power equipment operating at elevated pressure and temperature with 'clean coal' technologies. Environmental measures include gas cleaning, emission filtration, and dust suppression systems in line with the Environmental Code and best available techniques.

Regional Significance

Kurchatov hosts major scientific infrastructure, including the National Nuclear Center, the Nuclear Technology Park, research reactors, laboratories, and the KTM tokamak. The new plant is intended to improve reliability and quality of electricity supply for the city and support further industrial and urban development. The project is part of a broader national plan to build eight new power plants, including the Kurchatov station and the 2,640 MW Ekibastuz GRES-3.