Project Goal: the project aims to interconnect the Western zone with the main part of Kazakhstan's Unified Power System (UPS) across the territory of the country to ensure energy security and independence for the western regions of Kazakhstan. It seeks to improve the reliability of electricity supply to consumers in Zone West of the UPS and utilize the flexible generation of Zone West of the UPS to compensate for energy and power imbalances in Zone North and Zone South of the UPS.

Basis: the project was initiated based on the directives of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan given at the expanded meeting of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on January 26, 2021, and in accordance with the Action Plan for implementing the President's pre-election program "Fair Kazakhstan – for Everyone and for Each. Now and Forever.”

Project description: Construction of a 500 kV Karabatan - Ulke overhead electricity transmission line with a length of 604.3 km including the construction of power grid facilities.

Project implementation period: 2023 - 2027

Project cost: KZT 201.8 billion including VAT (including costs for commissioning, historical and cultural site assessment, etc.)

Current Status: In February 2024, the State Enterprise "Gosexpertiza" has approved the developed feasibility study (FS) report of the project. The Board of Directors of KEGOC in April approved the key indicators of the project and the transition to the project implementation stage. This year it is planned to conclude EPC contacts for the development of design documentation, supply of equipment and construction work.

The project financing is planned to be covered by equity funds (30%) and borrowed financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (70%).

On May 8, 2024, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development published a “General Procurement Notice” on its website, which can be found here KEGOC Integration of the West Zone (ebrd.com) (https://www.ebrd.com/work-with-us/procurement/p-pn240508.html).