BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved granting 98.79 billion Kazakh tenge ($219.38 million), Trend reports, citing ADB.
The project entails the gradual decommissioning and replacement of coal-based power-generating units with combined-cycle gas turbines. The capacity of the gas turbines will reach 600 MW for electricity and 957 Giga calories per hour. The plant will be constructed at the existing site of the Almaty combined heat plant 2 (CHP-2) with all grid and heating pipelines in place.
The ADB revealed that the new plant will dramatically decrease particulate matter, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), CO2, and other emissions, which will improve the living standard of the population. The project will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to lower CO2 intensity in gas fuel compared to coal.
According to the Bank, the project is aligned with the key objectives of the institution, including tackling climate change, making cities more livable, and pursuing projects to promote urban health and environmental sustainability.
Earlier, the ADB representative told Trend that ADB remains committed to working with Kazakhstan on improving the environmental situation. The source added that the Bank is preparing a new Country Partnership Strategy for 2023-2027, which focuses on addressing the impacts of climate change and supporting decarbonization in Kazakhstan.