Winter infrastructure spending has risen by 60%. Kazakhstan has allocated KZT 851 billion this year for the repair and modernization of energy facilities as the Government moves to complete preparations for the upcoming heating season, DKNews.kz reports.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said delays are unacceptable given the scale of financing, with around a month remaining before the heating season begins and even less time available in northern regions.
Power grid repairs are more than 90% complete
At a Government session chaired by Bektenov, officials reviewed the readiness of power plants, heating networks, coal and fuel oil reserves, residential buildings and social infrastructure.
Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov reported that repairs are currently underway at power plants on:
- 3 power units
- 33 boilers
- 24 turbines
Repairs have already been completed on 15,600 km of power lines, equivalent to 91% of the planned volume.
A total of 372 substations have been repaired, or 84% of the target.
Heating network repairs are progressing more slowly. Work has been completed on 246 km of networks, representing 65% of the plan.
Kazakhstan builds up coal and fuel oil reserves
Energy facilities have accumulated 4.2 million tons of coal and 137,000 tons of fuel oil.
The combined level of fuel reserves is 2% higher than last year.
The Government is placing particular emphasis on ensuring that coal and fuel oil reach both energy facilities and consumers on time.
The Ministry of Energy and regional akimats must approve the schedule for supplying social fuel oil to the regions by September 1.
Together with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, authorities must ensure coal and fuel oil are delivered according to approved schedules and volumes.
Bektenov called for strict oversight of the entire coal supply chain.
«I separately emphasize the issue of timely provision of coal to the population and the municipal sector. It is necessary to strictly control the entire chain—from coal mining and shipment to its sale to the public—and to prevent disruptions, unreasonable price increases, and artificial hype in the regions. All participants in this process must organize their work within the existing digital coal supply platform,» Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.
KZT 851 billion allocated for energy repairs
Funding for the repair and modernization of Kazakhstan’s energy infrastructure has increased substantially.
According to the Prime Minister, KZT 851 billion has been allocated this year — 60% more than last year.
Nearly KZT 384 billion has been provided under the “Tariff for Investment” program, 15% more than during the 2025 repair campaign.
Bektenov said this level of financing leaves no justification for missed deadlines or unused funds.
«The Head of State always emphasizes the strategic role of the energy and utilities infrastructure, as well as the need to strengthen the country's energy and infrastructure framework. Significant funds are allocated annually for these purposes. This year, 851 billion tenge is provided for the repair and modernization of energy facilities—60% more than last year. In particular, under the 'Tariff for Investment' program, nearly 384 billion tenge has been funded this year, which is 15% more than during the 2025 repair campaign. With this level of financing, postponements of repair deadlines, slow work rates, and failure to utilize allocated funds are unacceptable,» Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.
Schools and hospitals are 98% ready
The Ministry of Industry and Construction reported that most social facilities are already prepared for winter.
Current readiness levels include:
- Education and healthcare facilities — 98%
- Residential buildings — 95%
- Water supply networks repaired — 1,300 km out of 1,800 km
- Wastewater networks repaired — 225 km out of 306 km
The Government has set specific deadlines for completing the remaining work.
Education and healthcare facilities must be fully prepared by September 1.
In northern, central and eastern Kazakhstan, engineering infrastructure and housing and utilities facilities must be ready for heat supply by September 15.
For other regions, the deadline is October 15.
Officials face accountability for repair delays
The Government is also tightening administrative control over the repair campaign.
Regional headquarters responsible for winter preparations must intensify their work, while akimats have been instructed to closely monitor repairs and make concrete management decisions where problems arise.
The Ministry of Energy must take administrative measures in every case where repair deadlines are extended and assess the actions of managers responsible for disruptions or delays.
Energy enterprises have also begun the process of obtaining winter readiness certificates.
Regional akims are expected to personally participate in the commissions evaluating readiness, inspect energy facilities and heating and electricity networks, and monitor both repair progress and the availability of necessary materials.
Managers who allow facilities to enter the heating season without readiness certificates will be held accountable.
KEGOC and Samruk-Energy receive separate instructions
The Ministry of Energy and regional authorities must ensure repairs at heat sources and networks are completed on schedule.
Samruk-Energy has been instructed to finish its repair work on time and ensure new capacities are commissioned.
KEGOC, meanwhile, must strictly follow the established schedule for repairing power lines and substations.
The Government also heard reports on winter preparations from the akims of Abai, Akmola and Mangystau regions.
Why the next month is critical
The remaining repair schedule is particularly tight for northern Kazakhstan, where falling temperatures can force an earlier start to the heating season.
The Government has therefore instructed regions that are behind schedule to resolve outstanding problems immediately while remaining prepared to respond to sudden weather changes.
Bektenov said the heating season must begin on time.
First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlan Baibazarov has toured the regions to inspect their preparations, while the Prime Minister ordered weekly reporting on the situation.
«On my instructions, the First Deputy Prime Minister toured all regions and inspected preparations for the heating season. Nurlybek Mashbekovich, keep a strict handle on this issue and report to me weekly on the situation in the regions,» the Head of Government noted.
With KZT 851 billion allocated to energy repairs and modernization, the immediate test will now be whether the remaining work can be completed before temperatures begin to fall.
