The administration of Kazakhstan’s Abai region has signed an agreement with JelSu Energy to construct a three-plant hydropower cascade on the Irtysh River, with a combined capacity of 900 megawatts.
The memorandum of understanding, signed by regional governor Berik Uali and JelSu Energy director Adlet Kenzhebekov, outlines a phased development plan. The initial phase of the project will focus on preparing a feasibility study and conducting site surveys.
The project, which includes the Belokamenskaya, Akzharskaya, and Izvestkovskaya plants, comes as Kazakhstan seeks to address domestic power deficits and increase its share of renewable energy. The country has experienced growing electricity demand in recent years, leading to grid strain and a renewed focus on regional generation projects.
According to JelSu Energy board chairman Shyngys Kulzhanov, the investment decision was finalized last year. Local authorities expect the new infrastructure to stabilize the regional grid, support industrial growth, and create construction and operational jobs. The project is also expected to provide water management benefits for local agriculture and fisheries.
