Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has instructed to step up efforts to improve the reliability of the energy system following the mass power outage on 14 August in several regions of Kazakhstan.
WHAT IS KNOWN
The Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov raised the question at a meeting of the Government about the causes of the mass power outage on 14 August and measures to improve the reliability of Kazakhstan's energy system.
The Head of Government heard a report from Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov on the results of the inspection and work carried out after the blackout.
WHAT THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY SAID IN RESPONSE
The Ministry of Energy is completing the commissioning of new generation facilities, including Almaty CHPP-2 and CHPP-3 and a new combined-cycle gas turbine unit in the Turkestan region with a capacity of 1,000 MW.
At the same time, the electricity grid infrastructure is being strengthened. Work continues on the 500 kV Shu — Zhambyl — Shymkent power transmission line project, which is aimed at improving the reliability of the Southern zone of the energy system. Completion of the works is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.
WHY THE BLACKOUT INVESTIGATION IS STILL ONGOING
According to Yerlan Akkenzhenov, the state commission is continuing its investigation into the accident. It must establish why the Almaty energy hub went offline after the initial fault and how Kazakhstan's electricity networks responded in that situation.
The Minister noted that the Kyrgyz side does not deny the disconnection of two units at the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Station, but the subsequent events in Kazakhstan are still being established by the commission.
HOW THE ACCIDENT BEGAN
According to KEGOC JSC, on 14 August, the disconnection of two hydro-generators at the Toktogul HPP led to an overload of the power transit and the activation of emergency automation. After that, the southern zone of Kazakhstan separated from the country's Unified Energy System and the energy systems of Central Asia.
The outages affected the Almaty, Zhambyl, Turkestan, Kyzylorda and Karaganda regions, as well as the Zhetysu, Ulytau and Abai regions.
HOW POWER SUPPLY WAS RESTORED
KEGOC JSC began restoration measures immediately after the accident. According to the Minister, the entire energy system of Kazakhstan was successfully brought back together in approximately 2.5 hours.
Following the investigation into the technological disruption, additional organisational measures will be developed to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. These include requirements for extraordinary testing and adjustment of relay protection and system automation.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE NEW OUTAGES IN ALMATY
According to Yerlan Akkenzhenov, the power outages in Almaty on 17 and 20 August are not related to the blackout of 14 August.
The final causes of the disconnection of the Almaty energy hub are to be determined by the state commission.
