Page 633 – The Times Of Central Asia

19 Jul 2024

Central Asia, International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Construction begins on Kazakhstan’s First Hybrid Power Plant

July 19, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On July 16, Kazakhstan celebrated the launch of construction on a hybrid power plant in Zhanaozen, funded by national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG) and Italian energy company Eni S.p.A., in its western region of Mangystau.

According to KMG, the 247 MW hybrid project developed by Eni Plenitude will combine renewable energy sources -wind and solar – and a gas power plant to generate, balance and stabilize electricity production.

The solar power plant will have a capacity of 50 MW; the wind power component, 77 MW, and the gas power plant,120 MW. By combing all three, the hybrid power plant will ensure a stable and reliable supply of electricity to KMG’s regional subsidiary companies, including Ozenmunaygas and the Kazakh gas processing plant, and eliminate risks of shutdowns resulting from frequent interruptions to power supplies.

Since approximately 40% of all electricity produced by the hybrid plant will be “green,” the project will make a significant contribution to the implementation of KMG’s decarbonization strategy by reducing its carbon footprint.

Askhat Khassenov, Chairman of the Management Board of KazMunayGas, welcomed the initiative to provide Kazakhstan with its first hybrid plant and stated, “The project leverages Eni’s international industrial experience and represents an innovative combination of various technologies. It also aims to diversify and decarbonize the energy supply in the Mangystau region. Additionally, the project will create new employment opportunities for highly skilled professionals in the region.”

Present in Kazakhstan since 1992, Eni is a joint operator of the Karachaganak field, an equity partner in various projects in the Northern Caspian Sea, including the Kashagan offshore field, and KMG’s partner in the exploration block Abay.

18 Jul 2024

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Justice, Kyrgyzstan, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Kyrgyz Security Chief’s Brother-In-Law Detained on Large-Scale Fraud Charges

July 30, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

The brother-in-law of the head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS), Kamchybek Tashiyev, has been detained on suspicion of large-scale fraud.

The investigation found that the relative, having conspired with a Turkish citizen by deceit and breach of trust, took possession of a large sum of money from a local businessman, who then appealed to the SCNS with a corresponding statement.

The Committee said that despite close family relations, Tashiyev was instructed to conduct an objective investigation and give a legal assessment.

Based on the decision of the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek, the suspects were detained and taken into custody as part of the investigation. The investigation is underway, and measures are being taken to compensate the injured party.

18 Jul 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy

Large-Scale Logistics Center to Open in Samarkand

July 18, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The multimodal transport and logistics center “Logopark Samarkand” will open in 2025 in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region.

The center, which covers an area of more than 40,000 square meters, is designed to accommodate the products of leading international and local companies engaged in e-commerce, distribution, manufacturing, and logistics.

The new logistics center is expected to significantly shorten supply chains and their timelines and increase cargo transportation maneuverability. It is located on the main M-37 highway near Samarkand airport, which provides convenient access and favorable service conditions.

The complex includes premises with different temperature storage modes and a wide range of auxiliary services and facilities. Contracts for organizing warehousing activities and leases have already been signed.

Construction of this world-class logomark started in February this year and is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2025. Marakand Logair is in charge of implementing the project.

“We are confident that the center’s services will help Uzbekistan’s commodity producers to sell their products both within the country and abroad,” Ikrom Yadgarov, General Director of the company, noted.

18 Jul 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

ADB Allocates $100 Million for Perinatal Care in Uzbekistan

July 18, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million soft loan to help Uzbekistan improve perinatal health services for pregnant women and newborns.

The Integrated Perinatal Care Project will help the government modernize nearly 230 perinatal centers nationwide, equipping them with modern energy-efficient medical equipment, updated clinical standards and protocols, and capacity and quality assurance mechanisms for health workers.

The project will also improve the perinatal referral system. Strengthening emergency response teams will help identify health risks early. The project will expand access to appropriate and timely life-saving care by introducing electronic patient records for pregnancy monitoring.

“ADB’s support will also help the government implement targeted awareness-raising and behavior-change interventions and training of midwives and nurses to encourage pregnant women and mothers to seek health care services,” said ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan Kanokpan Lao-Araya.

18 Jul 2024

Central Asia, Kazakhstan Local Politics, International Affairs, Local Politics, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Four New Gas Processing Plants to be Commissioned in Kazakhstan

July 18, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Four new gas processing plants will be gradually operated in Kazakhstan until 2030. According to the Ministry of Energy forecasts, the volume of marketable gas production in Kazakhstan will steadily grow from 22.5 billion cubic meters in 2023 to 36.6 billion cubic meters by 2030.

To attract investment in the exploration and development of new gas fields, QazaqGaz and Chevron signed an agreement on joint implementation of geological exploration works at the Zhalibek area in the Aktobe region. The Road Map aims to increase the resource base of marketable gas. In 2023, the Rozhkovskoye, Urikhtau Vostochny, and Anabai fields, which have total recoverable gas reserves of 35.5 billion cubic meters, were put into commercial operation.

Four gas processing plants are planned for commissioning from 2026 to 2030: two at the Kashagan field with annual capacities of 1 and 2.5 billion cubic meters (Qatari investor UCC Holding was involved), one at the Karachaganak field with a capacity of 4 billion cubic meters per year, and KazGPZ in Zhanaozen with a capacity of 900 mln cubic meters per year.

18 Jul 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan Justice, Tajikistan International Affairs, Justice, Tajikistan Local Politics, Tajikistan, International Affairs, Local Politics

EU Urges Tajikistan to Investigate Human Rights Violations

July 18, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The European Union has once again called on the Tajik authorities to investigate human rights violations thoroughly and expressed concern about imprisoned human rights defenders, journalists, and bloggers. This was announced at the eleventh annual meeting of the European Union-Tajikistan Cooperation Committee held in Dushanbe.

“An independent and active civil society together with free media is essential for developing a democratic society,” the EU Delegation in Tajikistan stated.

Between 2022 and 2023, eight independent Tajik journalists and bloggers were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 7 to 21 years. Several human rights defenders and civil activists were also convicted during this period. Neither statements by international organizations and human rights defenders, individual appeals to the president, nor public outcry saved them from imprisonment. The authorities found them guilty of collaborating with banned organizations, but the journalists themselves confessed under pressure and torture.

The EU report also mentions the May 2022 events in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, when 34 people were killed following widespread protests and the response by security forces, where dozens of people, including civil activists, were detained and thrown behind bars for long terms.

Authorities call them “members of criminal groups,” but relatives of the victims say most of them were simple civilians who had no weapons. Western organizations and countries believe that Tajik authorities violated human rights in suppressing the rally.

The EU said that during the discussions, both sides exchanged views on regional and international interest issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, the increased threat of global terrorism and violent extremism, the environment, energy, trade, and other regional priorities.