President's Address to Nation: Zhambyl region develops alternative electricity sources
from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, construction of 500 kV second electricity transmission line of North-South Transit did not improve the situation. From time to time the region was almost fevered because of electricity shortage.
The program of alternative electricity development adopted by the local authorities gives a hope today that the problem of energy deficit will be solved at last.
According to the local akimat, implementation of the program regarding construction of small hydroelectric power stations on the region's rivers will allow covering 25% of electricity consumed.
Among small hydroelectric power stations is Merke GES-3 located along small river Merke which was put into operation in late December. Its production capacity is 1.5 MW, annual electricity generation is about 6.5 mln kW per hour. Each of three turbines of the station generates 500 kW of electricity. The up-to-date equipment was brought from China. 10 local residents got permanent jobs at the station as a result. KZT 257 mln was invested in construction of the Merke GES-3 in total.
Governor of the region Kanat Bozumbayev who took part in launch of the Merke GES-3 said that this hydroelectric power station would allow reducing electricity shortage in the region and improving the quality of the energy consumed. "Inauguration of this facility on the threshold of the New Year holiday shows positive results of our work. We keep our word", he noted.
About a year ago Zhambyl oblast established Zhambyl Hydroenergo communal enterprise in order to take part in implementation of renewable electric energy sources for compensating energy shortage and attracting private investors to construction of small hydroelectric power stations with total capacity of 60 MW.
According to Director of the enterprise Yernur Dzhienbayev, 12 hydroelectric powers stations are planned to be built around the region.
As Yerik Kusherbayev, a representative of the Zhambyl oblast administration, considers, the renewable electricity sources can become a good alternative for traditional technologies. This will also let attract investments to the region, create new jobs, increase the demand in local construction materials, metal constructions etc.
"We have examined the channels of the mountain rivers in the oblast and concluded that a number of such facilities with the total capacity of 90-107 MW/hour can be built there", he said.
Besides, the local authorities plan to use wind farms. "As a result of the research we have found out that it is possible to build wind farms in Korday municipality (16-42 MW) and in Sarysu municipality (12-25 MW)", Y. Kusherbayev added.
As Governor of Zhambyl region K. Bozumbayev considers, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico embodies the beginning of a new era of intensive development and creation of clean energy sources.
"Zhambyl region is rich in warmth of the Sun and winds and has a big number of small rivers. The region can become the first platform in Kazakhstan for full-fledged development of ecologically clean energy - solar and wind power stations, small hydroelectric power stations. This year we have set to development of alternative electricity in the region", K. Bozumbayev concluded.