Electric power price will increase in Kazakhstan from July 1. It was communicated in the course of online briefing of the Central Communications Service by Aidos Daribayev, the Head of the Department of Electric Power Industry Development of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the correspondent of Kazinform MIA reports.

The speaker noted that electric power tariffs are set for 7 years in accordance with the law. Thus, in case of actual increase in costs of energy generating companies for power generation, the energy generating companies may submit application to the competent authority for adjustment of threshold tariffs.

As costs for procurement of fuel have increased since the beginning of 2020, energy generating companies of Kazakhstan submitted applications for adjustment of threshold tariffs per groups in April of this year.

"Out of 44 energy generating companies, applications were submitted by 35 companies. The Ministry has approached them individually during consideration. Applications requiring timely decision-making were taken into account. The draft order was published on the website of open regulatory acts on June 10, 2020. Discussions were held with the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Atameken" and expert organizations accredited in the Ministry of Energy. The draft order was reviewed by the Public Council, and was discussed on the electronic platform of the portal of open regulatory acts," A. Daribayev said.

According to him, the Ministry adjusted tariffs on June 29 of this year by the order of the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On introduction of changes into Order of the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan No.514 dated December 14, 2018 "On approval of threshold tariffs for electric power" for support of electrical power industry. This Order should be put into effect from July 1, 2020. Increase of threshold tariffs of energy generating companies in Kazakhstan is projected at the level of 16% in average.

Further, A.Daribayev informed that the threshold tariff of Ekibastuz GRES-1, which distributes electric power almost to all regions of Kazakhstan, except of the West area of the common power grid of Kazakhstan, will increase slightly by 0.7%. Maintenance of threshold tariff of Ekibastuz GRES-1 against the background of an increase in the tariffs of other plants of companies in the range of 12-24% has a minimal impact on final tariffs. Tariffs are left the same for 9 energy generating companies out of 44 companies. The tariff was reduced by 7% for one energy generating company. The tariff was increased up to 20% for 18 energy generating companies out of 34 companies, and increase was more than 20% for other 16 plants.

1. Daribayev pointed out that timely adjustment of threshold tariffs of power plants will allow to commence modernization, repairs for successful operation during the future fall-winter period and reduction of a number of emergency situations, starting from the current year.

Also the Head of the Department explained that in case of changes in threshold tariffs of energy generating companies, the average bill for end consumers for standard apartments may increase not earlier than fourth quarter, and for the amount not more than 200 KZT per month in comparison to the current bills. The decision to increase the threshold tariffs for the population is within the competence of the Ministry of National Economy. Furthermore, review of threshold tariffs for electric power will allow to keep more than 27 thousand jobs of production personnel of 44 energy generating companies, on which continuous operation and supply of electric power depend.

Link to the source:  https://forbes.kz/news/2020/06/30/newsid_228513