BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 22. It is necessary to construct a second string of the main “Beyneu-Bozoy-Shymkent” gas pipeline, Bulat Akchulakov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, said, Trend reports, citing Kazakh media.
The minister noted that the pipeline is the main artery for providing gas supplies to the central and southern regions of the country. He added that due to harsh weather conditions and increased domestic demand, the pipeline operates in excess of its design capacity, or at 106 percent.
According to the minister, building the second string of the pipeline will ensure a continuous and uninterrupted supply of gas in the country.
Currently, Kazakhstan is exploring opportunities to modernize existing gas infrastructure and fund additional gas infrastructure projects. A part of the strategy of the government is to ensure complete gasification of the country. Latest reports suggest that this indicator is currently at 59 percent of the total population, which is equivalent to 11.6 people.
Gasification measures are being implemented within the framework of the “General Gasification Scheme of Kazakhstan” envisioned to be implemented between 2015 and 2030.