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Tokayev: Kazakhstan Ready to Supply Oil, Gas, and Uranium to Slovakia

Kazakhstan is prepared to begin supplying hydrocarbons and nuclear raw materials to Slovakia, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced following talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Astana. Speaking at a joint press briefing, Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening ties with Slovakia across both bilateral and multilateral platforms, with particular emphasis on expanding economic cooperation. In 2024, trade between the two countries reached $140 million. According to Tokayev, new opportunities are emerging in sectors such as energy, industrial production, agriculture, logistics, digitalization, critical raw materials, education, and tourism. “Kazakhstan is ready to export oil, gas, uranium, food products, and other goods to Slovakia,” Tokayev said. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy, the country exported 68.6 million tons of oil to foreign markets in 2024. This year, exports are projected to increase to 70.5 million tons. The bulk of these exports, 57.05 million tons, will be shipped via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). Additional routes include the Atyrau-Samara pipeline (8.8 million tons), the Druzhba pipeline to Germany (1.2 million tons), and the Atasu-Alashankou route to China (1 million tons). Kazakhstan also plans to ship 3.6 million tons of oil through the port of Aktau, with 1.5 million tons continuing via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Following his meeting with Fico, Tokayev also highlighted potential cooperation in military-technical fields. The two leaders discussed leveraging the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, which links China and Europe through Kazakhstan. “I invited our Slovak partners to participate in this project, which could open new horizons for bilateral trade,” Tokayev said. Prime Minister Fico expressed interest in deepening cooperation in both the oil and nuclear energy sectors. “We have five reactors, and a sixth will soon be operational. We’re also planning to purchase a 1.5 MW nuclear power plant. If our Kazakh colleagues are interested, we’re ready to cooperate,” Fico stated. He also noted discussions on utilizing the Druzhba pipeline corridor through Russia and Belarus to supply oil to Slovakia. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is moving forward with plans for its first nuclear power plant. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the country’s Atomic Energy Agency is expected to announce by the end of this month which foreign company will be awarded the construction contract.

Energy Gasoline Prices ranking Fuel Affordability

Kazakhstan Second Only to Russia in CIS for Gasoline Purchasing Power

Kazakhstan ranks 36th out of 124 countries in a global gasoline affordability index based on average monthly earnings, according to recent data from Numbeo and analysis by Energyprom.kz. The study assesses how many liters of gasoline a person can buy with an average monthly salary and compares this indicator across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and globally. Kazakhstan Among CIS Leaders in Fuel Affordability According to the report, the average Kazakhstani can purchase approximately 1,100 liters of gasoline per month based on their salary. This places Kazakhstan second among CIS countries, trailing only Russia, where the average salary covers about 1,140 liters, ranking 34th worldwide. Belarus follows with 801.3 liters, then Azerbaijan (677.9 liters), Kyrgyzstan (483.9 liters), Moldova (476.6 liters), Uzbekistan (461.3 liters), Armenia (450.3 liters), Ukraine (341.4 liters), and Tajikistan (223.8 liters). Globally, Libya leads with a staggering 10,100 liters, followed by Kuwait (8,900 liters) and Qatar (6,600 liters). In contrast, Syria ranks last, where the average salary can buy just 22.1 liters. Cuba (28.5 liters) and Côte d'Ivoire (112.3 liters) also rank among the lowest. Global Gasoline Prices: Kazakhstan Remains Among the Most Affordable Kazakhstan is also one of the countries with the lowest fuel prices, around $0.50 per liter. Cheaper fuel is found in Libya ($0.03), Egypt and Algeria ($0.30), Kuwait ($0.40), and Malaysia ($0.50). By comparison, the most expensive gasoline is in Hong Kong at $3.10 per liter, followed by Iceland ($2.40), and Singapore, the Netherlands, and Switzerland (all around $2.20). Price Trends in Kazakhstan In April 2025, gasoline prices in Kazakhstan rose by 0.4% compared to the previous month and by 2.2% year-on-year. Prices for premium grades, AI-95/96 and AI-98, increased by 0.1% month-over-month, while AI-92 rose by 0.4%. On an annual basis, AI-92 increased by 1.8%, AI-98 by 3.2%, and AI-95/96 by 4.3%. The Zhambyl region saw the highest monthly increase at 1%, followed by the Abai and Turkestan regions and Shymkent (all at 0.8%). North Kazakhstan recorded the smallest increase (0.1%), while prices remained unchanged in Aktobe, Ulytau, and Almaty. The West Kazakhstan region saw a slight price decline of 0.1%. Year-on-year, the highest price growth was observed in West Kazakhstan (4.8%), Aktobe (4.1%), and Shymkent (3.1%). The most modest increases were recorded in Almaty (0.9%), Akmola (1.1%), and Zhetysu (1.7%). Production, Pricing, and Export Data In April 2025, the average price per liter of AI-92 was 205 KZT ($0.40), AI-95/96 stood at 264 KZT ($0.52), and AI-98 at 299 KZT ($0.59). The highest AI-92 prices were in Petropavlovsk ($0.41), and the lowest in Atyrau ($0.38). Taldykorgan had the most expensive AI-95/96 ($0.54), while Atyrau offered the lowest ($0.48). AI-98 was priciest in Almaty ($0.62) and cheapest in Aktobe ($0.56). In the first two months of 2025, domestic producers met 99.99% of the nation’s gasoline demand. Kazakhstan produced 1.1 million tons of gasoline, a 20.8% year-on-year increase. Imports totaled only 101.8 tons, down 8.1%. The country exported 6,700 tons of gasoline during this period, all to Uzbekistan. Supplies to the domestic market...

Power deficit Energy Forecast Electricity Energy deficit Power Plant

Kazakhstan Faces Record Power Deficit as Electricity Shortfall Hits 2.4 Billion kWh

Kazakhstan has experienced its most significant electricity imbalance in recent years. According to data from Energyprom.kz, the gap between electricity production and consumption reached 2.4 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2024, an increase of 200 million kWh from 2023, when the shortfall stood at 2.2 billion kWh. While the country’s total generation amounted to 117.9 billion kWh, domestic consumption exceeded 120.4 billion kWh. Imports Offset Domestic Shortfalls To address this growing energy deficit, Kazakhstan primarily imports electricity from Russia. Smaller volumes are supplied by Kyrgyzstan, although these are typically part of Russian transit deliveries to Kyrgyz consumers. Despite these imports, domestic electricity generation continues to grow at a modest pace. In 2024, total generation rose by 4.2%, with a 3% year-on-year increase recorded in the first two months of 2025. Nevertheless, the production boost has not been sufficient to meet demand, necessitating continued reliance on external suppliers. Decline in Coal Dependence One notable trend is the gradual reduction in Kazakhstan’s dependence on coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs), traditionally among the most polluting energy sources. In 2024, the share of coal-fired generation declined from 77.4% to 74.9%, equivalent to approximately 88.4 billion kWh of total output. In contrast, the share of alternative power sources increased. Hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) contributed 9.5% of total generation, up 1.8 percentage points year-on-year, while gas turbine power plants (GTPPs) accounted for 10.1%, a 0.3-point increase. Renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and biogas, produced 6.4 billion kWh, representing 5.4% of total electricity output. Revised Forecasts and Growing Challenges The Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan has updated its projections to reflect the sector’s challenges. As of early 2025, officials estimate the country’s electricity deficit could grow to 5.7 billion kWh by year-end. This revision stems from downgraded forecasts for generation volumes, which are now projected at 117.1 billion kWh, down from an earlier estimate of 121.8 billion kWh. Expectations for the commissioning of new generation capacity have also been lowered, further exacerbating the shortfall. Nonetheless, government planners remain cautiously optimistic. If several large-scale energy projects move forward on schedule, the deficit could shrink to 2.6 billion kWh by the end of 2026. A full build-out of planned capacity could even lead to a surplus. New Capacity and Long-Term Plans The government has outlined plans to construct 59 new energy facilities with a combined capacity of 26.4 gigawatts (GW). These include both new builds and upgrades to existing plants. Major initiatives involve constructing a nuclear power plant (2.4 GW) and a third state district power station (GRES-3) with 2.6 GW of capacity. Additionally, 11 regional centers are set to receive combined-cycle gas turbines with a total capacity of 4.5 GW. Renewable energy is also a key focus. By 2029, Kazakhstan aims to commission four large wind power plants equipped with energy storage systems, totaling 3.8 GW in capacity. These projects are being developed through intergovernmental agreements with investors from the United Arab Emirates, France, and China.

Hydroelectric power plants President Japarov İhlas Holding Energy

Turkish Company Reaffirms Commitment to Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Projects

At a meeting on April 16 with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek, Ahmet Mücahid Ören, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Turkey’s İhlas Holding, reaffirmed his company’s commitment to implementing two major energy projects in Kyrgyzstan: the construction of the Kazarman cascade of hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) on the Naryn River, and a 250 MW natural gas-fired combined heat and power plant (CHPP-2) in Bishkek. İhlas Holding has previously established an open joint-stock company, Orta Asya Investment Holding (Central Asian Investment Holding), to facilitate its operations in Kyrgyzstan. “We consider these projects in the fields of hydropower and thermal power generation as strategically important and a priority. We are confident that their implementation will serve as the basis for the sustainable development of the country's energy sector and create conditions for subsequent investment initiatives,” Ören stated, according to the Kyrgyz president’s press service. Japarov noted that preliminary research has been completed at the construction sites for the Kazarman cascade in the Jalal-Abad region. The studies were conducted by Central Asian Investment Holding in cooperation with the Kyrgyzhydroproject Institute. In February 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy and Central Asian Investment Holding signed a protocol of intent to build the Kazarman cascade, which will have a total capacity of 912 MW. The Turkish company has committed to constructing three hydropower plants as part of the project: Ala-Buga HPP – 600 MW Kara-Bulun-1 HPP – 149 MW Kara-Bulun-2 HPP – 163 MW Combined, these plants are expected to generate 3.746 billion kWh of electricity annually, significantly bolstering Kyrgyzstan’s power supply. The meeting also addressed the construction of a second thermal power plant in Bishkek. Japarov emphasized that once operational in 2028, the new 250 MW natural gas-fired CHPP-2 will improve not only the capital’s heating and electricity supply but also its environmental conditions. The new facility aims to reduce reliance on the city’s aging coal-fired Thermal Power Plant, which currently serves as the primary source of electricity and heating. Once completed, CHPP-2 is expected to meet Bishkek’s growing heating demands and reduce the risk of energy shortages.

Energy president Hydroelectric power plants HPP Construction local resistance

Japarov Urges Kyrgyz Citizens Not to Obstruct Small Hydropower Plant Construction

Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov has urged citizens to support the construction of small hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) across the country, emphasizing their importance for energy independence. According to Japarov, 40 small HPPs are currently operational in Kyrgyzstan, generating 312.5 million kWh of electricity annually. Construction has begun on 37 additional small HPPs, with 18 set to be commissioned in 2025, adding a total capacity of 385.2 million kWh. Additionally, Kyrgyzstan has launched solar and wind power projects with a combined capacity of 5,624 MW to diversify its energy sources. Untapped Energy Potential and Local Resistance Despite having the capacity to generate 142 billion kWh of electricity annually, Kyrgyzstan currently produces only 14 billion kWh, utilizing just 10% of its potential. Meanwhile, the country imports 3 billion kWh of electricity each year. Japarov noted that in regions where small HPPs are under construction, local residents have blocked roads and disrupted work, citing concerns about water pollution. “We are a country located at the source of water resources, yet we still import electricity,” Japarov stated in his address. “To resolve this crisis, we launched the large-scale construction of small and medium-sized HPPs in 2021. Additionally, work has begun on the Kambarata-1 HPP, which will further strengthen our energy security. Our goal is to eliminate dependency on imports, achieve energy self-sufficiency, and eventually export surplus electricity.” Appeal for Public Cooperation Japarov called on local communities to cooperate, urging them to endure temporary inconveniences during construction. “Construction lasts a maximum of three months. Work is carried out during the day, so in the mornings, before any impact on water, residents can collect clean water for their daily needs. These projects will serve our country, our people, and future generations.” In many remote rural areas of Kyrgyzstan, access to piped drinking water remains limited, forcing residents to rely on rivers and lakes for their water supply. While environmental concerns persist, the government maintains that small HPPs are essential for long-term energy sustainability and economic development.

Natural gas Energy Green Energy Crude Oil

Kazakhstan to Expand Oil, Gas, and Green Energy Production in 2025

The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan has released its 2024 fuel and energy sector report and outlined its plans for 2025. The country aims to increase crude oil and natural gas production while expanding renewable energy capacity. Oil Production and Refining In 2024, Kazakhstan produced 87.7 million tons of crude oil. Oil refining met the target of 17.9 million tons, while the production of: Oil products reached 14.5 million tons (exceeding the plan) Liquefied gas totaled 3 million tons Petrochemical products amounted to 540,000 tons In 2025, the country aims to boost crude oil production to 96.2 million tons, driven by the expansion of production at the Tengiz field and continued development at Karachaganak, Kalamkas-Sea, and Khazar. Natural Gas Expansion and Infrastructure Kazakhstan produced 59 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas in 2024 and plans to increase output to 62.8 bcm in 2025. As of last year, 61.8% of Kazakhstan’s population had access to natural gas supplies. The government plans to expand gasification efforts in 2025 through the completion of major gas pipelines and distribution stations. Growth in Renewable Energy and Electricity Generation Kazakhstan generated 117.9 billion kWh of electricity in 2024, with 7.58 billion kWh (6.4%) coming from renewable energy sources (RES). In 2025, the country will implement nine new RES projects with a total capacity of 455.5 MW, further increasing the share of green energy and reducing the carbon footprint of Kazakhstan’s energy sector.