Astana, Kazakhstan, Nov.6
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend: Preparation work is being carried out in Kazakhstan for the construction of the Balkhash Thermal Power Plant (TPP), the country's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and New Technologies Asset Issekeshev said at a briefing in the Central Communications Service under the President of Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
"The executor of the Samruk-Energo JSC project has created a Joint Venture (JV) with South Korean companies such as Sumsung and Kepko. Currently work is being carried out to prepare a site that includes the construction of a water treatment plant and a working village," he said.
The minister recalled that the construction of Balkhash TPP is an important project for reducing the energy shortage in the southern regions and for decreasing their energy dependence. The construction of the first module of Balkhash TPP in Kazakhstan was planned to start in 2012.
"When addressing the delay in construction of Balkhash TPP, the president of the Samruk-Energo JSC, Almasadam Satkaliyev reprimanded the company's first vice-president for failure to work on time at the beginning of construction. Currently the preparation work is being carried out at full speed," Issekeshev said.
The cost of construction of the first module of Balkhash TPP with a capacity of 1300 megawatts is approximately $2.3 billion.