Kazakhstan has reached formal agreements with Russian partners to develop three new combined heat and power plants in Kokshetau, Semey, and Ust-Kamenogorsk. The main report comes from a Russian media outlet, 24KZ, confirming the signings. The planned facilities will expand the country’s energy capacity and diversify the regional power mix, aligning with broader energy security goals and ongoing cross-border cooperation.
Officials indicated that the construction of these thermal power plants is slated to finish in 2027. The deals were formalized during a state visit by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to St. Petersburg, where discussions with Russian partners emphasized joint development. Inter RAO – Export, a Russian utility company, has been named as the contractor responsible for delivering the projects. In addition, plans call for the launch of a new thermal power plant in Ust-Kamenogorsk by 2030, marking a significant milestone in regional energy infrastructure expansion.
On the same day, St. Petersburg hosted the CIS heads of state summit. President Vladimir Putin extended invitations to leaders from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to participate. Although the participants were not seated at the main table, their movements and discussions included visits to the city’s palaces and park complexes, reflecting the ceremonial cadence of the gathering.
In a related note, Tokayev suggested a fiber optic communications corridor along the Russia-Kazakhstan-Iran route. The idea highlights a push to modernize regional connectivity and support faster data exchange across borders, which complements the energy projects by enabling more robust industrial integration.
Earlier remarks from President Putin touched on a growth trajectory for bilateral trade within the Eurasian Economic Union framework. The emphasis on trade expansion complements the energy and infrastructure strategy by underscoring the broader economic partnership that regional policymakers aim to cultivate, including cooperative energy ventures and cross-border investments.