Serious delays in preparation for the heating season occurred in Kazakhstan

On June 25, at a meeting of the government of Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov sharply criticized the current state of preparations for the upcoming heating season, Liter.kz reports with reference to press service departments.

The head of the Cabinet of Ministers emphasized that June is already coming to an end, and many heat supply facilities are still not ready for the onset of cold weather, which indicates delays in the repair work of the main equipment.

The Prime Minister cited a number of examples indicating serious problems in organizing repair work. Among them are delays in the start of all repair work at the Ekibastuz CHPP, which were postponed from May to the end of June. In addition, extensive repairs of the boiler at CHPP-2 in Temirtau have not begun since April 1, and the volume of turbine repairs has been significantly reduced. Another example is that the repair of the turbine at CHPP-4 in Taraz has not started since May 13, and only on June 1 did the overhaul of the boiler at the CHPP in Zhezkazgan begin.

Bektenov recalled his previous instructions not to allow extension of repair periods and reduction of their volumes, however, according to him, the schedule of repair work approved by the operator KEGOC is often changed at the discretion of the owners without the participation of akimats and the Ministry of Energy.

In response to these challenges, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers instructed First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar to take “the most stringent measures” locally to ensure the quality of repair work. The Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Industry and Construction, together with regional akimats, were also instructed to strengthen control over the timeliness and quality of the repair campaign. They must also provide all thermal power plants and boiler houses with the necessary fuel before September 1 and intensify work on storing coal reserves.

By September 15 in the central, northern and eastern regions, and in the rest – by October 15, complete readiness of all engineering infrastructure and housing and communal services must be ensured for the new heating season.