President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev directed Prime Minister Alihan Smailov to explore options for restoring state ownership over energy facilities in cities across Kazakhstan that are experiencing operational difficulties. This instruction was shared by the president’s press secretary, Ruslan Zheldibay, on social media as part of a broader discussion about the recent emergency at the Ekibastuz thermal power plant in the Pavlodar region. The message underscored the seriousness with which the leadership views disruptions in power generation and the potential ripple effects on households and local industry. The official framing made it clear that regaining control over critical assets is being considered as a means to fortify reliability and national energy security in the face of management challenges that have plagued some facilities. Zheldibay highlighted the incident as a wake-up call for a review of asset governance, investment oversight, and accountability across the sector, stressing that the state must act decisively to prevent future outages and ensure stable electricity supply for all communities. The emphasis was on safeguarding essential services and protecting citizens from the consequences of unreliable energy delivery.
In his commentary, Zheldibay linked the interruptions in power supply and heating to broader management shortcomings at the affected facilities. He contended that operational gaps, if left unaddressed, could lead to repeated power cuts and heat shortages for residents. The statement conveyed that the government would analyze the root causes of the crisis and implement corrective measures designed to raise standards of maintenance, performance monitoring, and resilience across the generation and distribution network. This approach aims to minimize downtime and secure continuous service for consumers, particularly during peak demand periods when energy needs are highest. The remarks reflected a commitment to transparency and rapid response, signaling that authorities were prepared to take corrective steps that could include structural changes to asset ownership and oversight.
Tokayev reportedly expressed particular concern about the impact of the disruption on households in Ekibastuz, where residents rely heavily on centralized heating and predictable electricity. The president asserted that families facing heating shortages would receive targeted assistance as part of ongoing stabilization efforts. He instructed regional authorities, including the Pavlodar regional administration and its akimat, to act swiftly to restore normal service in the city over the coming days. The directive encompassed not only repair work but also a review of policy levers that govern the management of critical infrastructure, ensuring that responsibility is clearly assigned and that corrective actions are implemented without delay. The focus remained on maintaining public trust and upholding residents’ rights to reliable utilities.
Earlier, Tokayev signed a decree aimed at reclaiming assets that were placed outside state control through illegal actions. The decree establishes a framework for identifying such assets and returning them to Kazakhstan, reflecting a broader policy objective of safeguarding national property and ensuring that strategic resources serve the public interest. The legal instrument signals the government’s intent to strengthen asset security, improve governance practices, and deter practices that transfer control of vital infrastructure away from the state. This measure is presented as part of a comprehensive effort to enhance national resilience, protect economic stability, and promote responsible stewardship of energy resources for the benefit of citizens and the economy alike.