“We can’t keep waiting“: Kazakhstan starts building new power plant without Russian funding

Tengrinews.kz – Kazakhstan has begun construction of a new combined heat and power plant (CHPP) in Kokshetau without Russian financial support, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced during a government briefing.

According to Bektenov, the initial plan was to build three CHPPs in cooperation with Russian partners — in Kokshetau, Semey, and Ust-Kamenogorsk. However, the lack of guaranteed concessional financing from Russia forced Kazakhstan to move ahead independently in at least one city.

“We haven’t received any concrete confirmation about concessional funding from the Russian side. So, in Kokshetau, we've already begun construction using our own resources. Samruk-Energo is handling the project. As for Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk, we’re still waiting. But if there’s no response soon, we’ll consider building those as well on our own. We can’t keep waiting,” Bektenov said.

He emphasized that Kazakhstan's national budget is capable of funding such infrastructure, and the plants are expected to generate revenue and pay back the investment once operational.

In May 2025, First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar suggested that Kazakhstan might seek alternative investors due to issues with subsidies from Russia.

By June, Sklyar confirmed that construction in Kokshetau could proceed without Russian involvement, noting that although an agreement had been signed, its implementation was stalling.

Later, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov also said that Kazakhstan was prepared to start the CHPP projects on its own if international agreements continued to stall.

The original plans to build three CHPPs with Russian participation were announced back in 2023.