BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. Kazakhstan extended the ban on exporting coal and lignite (brown coal) via road transportation for another six months, Trend reports, citing the press service of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.
The decision was made to satisfy domestic demand and ensure the energy security of the country.
The ban was first introduced in September 2022 in a bid to prepare the country for the incoming cold winter.
Official estimates suggest that around nine million tons of coals will be necessary for 2022-2023 heating season. Some 2.2 million tons are necessary for the public utility, while 6.8 million tons of coals are necessary for the needs of population.
Kazakhstan exported around 32.5 tons of coal in 2022. Earlier reports indicated that the exports of Kazakh coal several countries increased dramatically, due to external reasons.
For example, exports to Poland increased tenfold due to the growing domestic demand of Poland against the backdrop of sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia. Additionally, Latvia and Estonia have also increased the volume of Kazakh coal imports in 2022.