Kazakhstan Plans Another 20 Million Tons Of Coal Consumption

Kazakhstan plans to increase coal production and consumption despite the global shift toward clean energy, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said in Astana, Orda.kz reports.

According to him, the coal industry is facing questions about its future because of the development of renewable energy and the climate agenda.

There are now alternative agendas — renewable energy, the green agenda, the Paris Agreement. Because of the global trend toward clean energy, coal producers have a question about what will happen to the industry next. Therefore, we must develop a clear plan for the coal industry and give enterprises an understanding of the future,the minister said.

Akkenzhenov said Kazakhstan already has an approved plan for the development of coal generation, which provides for further growth in coal consumption.

At the beginning of this year, we presented a plan for the development of coal generation. It was approved by the head of state and supported by the government. In this regard, coal consumption will increase many times over. This gives certain guarantees to our producers and allows them to consider new investments in deposits and enterprise development. All of this will be based on clean coal technologies, which will minimize emissions from coal generation,Akkenzhenov said.

The energy minister said coal consumption could increase by about 20 million tons in the coming years.

Tulegen Mukhanov, adviser to the executive director of the Association of Mining and Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises, said coal remains the basis of Kazakhstan’s energy security.

Today, about 72% of all electricity in Kazakhstan is generated by coal plants. Therefore, the coal industry remains one of the most important for the country’s economy. Despite the environmental agenda, coal production continues to grow in many countries around the world,Mukhanov said.

He added that exports of Kazakh coal also continue to grow. Last year, foreign supplies reached 25 million tons, but further export development is limited by logistics, as the main routes pass through Russia.

Original author: Alina Elgeldina

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