ASTANA – Kazakhstan is accelerating its renewable energy buildout in 2026, with ten new facilities expected to enter service this year as part of a broader push to modernize the country's energy infrastructure and reduce reliance on fossil fuel exports. Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov outlined the sector's first-quarter performance at a government meeting on April 14.
The planned renewable additions include four wind farms, five solar installations, and one hydropower plant, with a combined capacity of approximately 245 megawatts (MW). These projects are central to Kazakhstan's strategy for strengthening its fuel and energy sector while ensuring long-term energy security.
Renewable Generation Climbs 15%
Electricity generation from renewable sources reached 2.3 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in the first quarter, marking a 15% increase year-on-year and underscoring the continued expansion of Kazakhstan's green energy sector. The growth trajectory aligns with government targets to diversify the power mix and lower carbon intensity across the economy.
To address a projected power deficit, approximately 2.4 gigawatts (GW) of new generating capacity is slated for commissioning this year. This includes combined-cycle power plants being developed in the Turkistan, Almaty, and Kyzylorda Regions, alongside efforts to modernize existing energy facilities.
Oil Sector Pressured by Operational Factors
Oil and gas condensate production totaled 19.7 million tons during the reporting period, representing 80.2% of the volume recorded in the same quarter of 2025. The shortfall reflects operational challenges at key facilities, including the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) infrastructure and the Tengiz field.
At the Karachaganak field, work is underway to commission the sixth sour gas re-injection compressor. Once operational, the equipment is expected to sustain annual oil production at the field at 10–11 million tons. The Ministry of Energy is also conducting negotiations with major subsoil users to implement measures aimed at boosting output across the sector.
Oil exports for January-March reached 15.3 million tons, or 78.5% of the corresponding period in 2025, with the annual export forecast set at 76 million tons. Kazakhstan's oil export performance remains closely tied to throughput capacity at CPC and other transit routes.
Gas Output and Downstream Processing
Gas production reached 13.6 billion cubic meters in the first quarter, or 84.9% of the prior-year level, with the 2026 forecast projected at 62.7 billion cubic meters. Saleable gas output totaled 6.1 billion cubic meters, while domestic consumption of commercial gas increased to 8.8 billion cubic meters, surpassing the previous year's figure. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production amounted to 0.72 million tons.
The Ministry of Energy, in cooperation with the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund, is executing a long-term plan to develop new hydrocarbon fields through 2035. As part of this initiative, construction of a gas processing plant at the Kashagan field with a capacity of 1 billion cubic meters is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
Refining and Petrochemical Expansions Advance
Petroleum product output reached 3.67 million tons in the reporting period, in line with planned targets. Simultaneously, authorities are taking steps to accelerate construction of a new oil refinery with a capacity of 10 million tons, as well as to expand existing refining facilities in Pavlodar, Atyrau, and Shymkent.
Petrochemical production reached 134,000 tons, or 86.1% of the level recorded in the same period last year. In cooperation with KazMunayGas and international partners, work is underway to increase polypropylene production to 450,000 tons this year, reflecting a push to add value within the domestic hydrocarbons chain.
Total electricity generation in the first quarter stood at 33.7 billion kWh, slightly exceeding the prior-year level, with a 2026 annual forecast of 126.5 billion kWh.