President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined a strategic shift in the nation’s energy policy, prioritizing traditional power sources—coal, natural gas, and hydropower—to ensure immediate energy self-sufficiency.
The President emphasized that Kazakhstan should actively commission new generating capacities now, rather than waiting for the completion of planned nuclear power plants. This urgency is driven by the soaring energy demands of the digital economy, specifically data centers and AI integration.
According to the President, the current electricity production of 123.1 billion kilowatt-hours is clearly not enough to implement the country’s strategic plans. “The competitive advantages of our country have not been properly exploited,” Tokayev said.
Coal as a strategic asset
Kazakhstan has enormous coal reserves of about 33 billion tons, which, at the current level of consumption, could last for about 300 years.
Annual production exceeds 110 million tons, which puts the country among the world leaders.
The President called coal a strategic asset and instructed to maximize its use using the latest technologies to completely neutralize the harmful effects on the environment.
He cited the words of US President Donald Trump as an example: “I like coal, I don’t like wind,” to illustrate the pragmatic necessity of reliable baseload power.
The President ordered that the development of coal-fired generation be elevated to a “National Project.” The government has been given a task to resolve this issue by March 20, 2026.
The priority is the accelerated implementation of key projects: the construction of new thermal power plants in Kokshetau, Semey and Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk), the timely launch of a power plant in Kurchatov, the commissioning of additional power units at GRES-2 and the start of construction of GRES-3 in Ekibastuz.
Gas generation and search for new deposits
For the stability of the energy system, Tokayev emphasized the accelerated introduction of balancing capacities, primarily gas ones. The potential of natural gas should be enhanced through the search and development of new deposits.
However, gas production lags behind the growing needs of the economy: last year, imports of marketable gas increased by 18% and reached 4.5 billion cubic meters.
The management of QazaqGaz has been tasked with developing promising areas at its own expense and with the involvement of investors. The Government and Samruk-Kazyna have been instructed to step up exploration, ensure the development of new hydrocarbon deposits and strengthen control over the launch of major gas processing projects.
“We need concrete results, not declarations of intent,” the President stressed.
Hydropower: an undervalued reserve
Tokayev called water resources an important reserve for the reliability of the energy system, the potential of which is not being properly used. Work in this area has been “launched”.
He criticized the “neglected” state of the country’s hydropower sector, noting that current assessments rely on outdated Soviet-era data.
The President addressed the scientists of the Academy of Sciences: “Where are our scientists? Why haven’t they given an accurate assessment of the country’s hydropotential yet?” It is necessary to prepare a reliable map of water and energy resources.
At the same time, the preparation of documents should not slow down the development of hydropower.
The Government and Samruk-Kazyna have been instructed to consider the transfer of certain hydraulic engineering facilities to trust management in order to increase efficiency.
Data centers and energy self-sufficiency
The President highlighted a critical link between energy and technology: data centers now consume as much electricity as major metallurgical plants. He stressed that achieving energy self-sufficiency is no longer just an industrial goal, but a vital component of the state’s policy to support accelerated digitalization and the rollout of Artificial Intelligence.///nCa, 21 January 2026