How Worn Out Are Kazakhstan's Heating Networks?

The Ministry of Energy named the regions with the most worn-out heating networks and discussed how much the infrastructure has been renovated, Orda.kz reports.

As the Minister of Energy Almasadam Satkaliyev stated, the situation varies across Kazakhstan.

We are currently trying to work in a regulatory manner to improve the condition of heating networks. On average, the situation in Kazakhstan varies from region to region. There are regions where there is more wear and tear, for example, the average wear and tear in the East Kazakhstan region exceeds that in other regions,
 Satkaliyev answered in the corridors of government.

An unprecedented amount of money has been allocated for infrastructure renewal. This year, 93 billion tenge was allocated. These are only state funds. 

In addition to this, another 17 billion was additionally allocated by the natural monopoly entities themselves, the head of the Ministry of Energy noted.

Speaking about readiness for the heating season, the minister assured that the communal infrastructure is almost entirely ready.

There is only one city that is currently lagging behind in all projects announced for this year - this is the city of Shymkent. This is due to the seasonality of the heating season, which begins on November 1. So, we still have time to complete the remaining work. 

The preparations are proceeding at the proper level. Currently, the Ministry of Energy does not foresee any critical situations. Satkaliyev emphasized that attentiveness is still a must.

First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar stated that the average wear and tear of heating networks in the country is 61 percent, and plans are underway to reduce the figure to 52 percent.

This year, 93 billion tenge has been allocated from the Republican budget to modernize 161 km of heating networks. Through investment programs of natural monopoly entities, 69 km of heat supply networks, for a total of 17 billion tenge, are also planned to be modernized.

Original Author: Artem Volkov