In Kazakhstan, retail electricity supply will be handled by licensed energy transmission organizations, as reported by the business information center Kapital.kz, citing the press service of the Committee for Natural Monopolies Regulation.
"To enhance the transparency and reliability of energy supply in Kazakhstan, a reform was implemented on April 1, 2024, leading to the cessation of operations by unregulated energy supply organizations (UESO). As a result, this allowed for an average tariff reduction of 11.62% or 4.39 tenge for small and medium-sized enterprises across 12 regions of the country. On July 8, 2024, the President of Kazakhstan signed the RK Law 'On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts on Heat Energy, Electricity, and Regulated Services', which states that from 2025, retail electricity supply functions will be carried out exclusively by energy transmission organizations (REK) that meet the qualification requirements of the electricity legislation," KREM reports.
As part of the implementation of this regulation, territorial departments of the Committee for Natural Monopolies Regulation of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan have issued licenses to 21 REKs that meet the qualification requirements. Starting from January 1, 2025, electricity supply to consumers will be provided by the following REKs:
Karaganda region - LLP "Karaganda Zharik", LLP "Karaganda Regional Energy Company"
- Aktobe region - LLP "Energosisyema"
- Kostanay region - LLP "EPK-Atica", LLP "EPK-forfait"
- Pavlodar region - LLP "Gorelktrosnet", JSC "Pavlodar REK"
- Astana city - JSC "Astana Regional Electric Network Company"
- Akmolinsk region - LLP "Kokshetau Energo", JSC "Akmolinsk REK"
- Abai region - JSC "United Energy Service Company"
- North Kazakhstan region - JSC "North Kazakhstan Distribution Electric Network Company"
- East Kazakhstan region - JSC "United Energy Service Company"
- West Kazakhstan region - LLP "West Kazakhstan REK"
- Almaty city - JSC "Alatau Zharik Company"
- Almaty region - JSC "Alatau Zharik Company"
- Kyzylorda region - JSC "Kyzylorda Distribution Electric Network Company"
- Atyrau region - JSC "Atyrau Zharik"
- Shymkent city - LLP "South Zharik Transit"
- Turkestan region - LLP "South Zharik Transit"
- Zhetysu region - JSC "Taldykorgan Joint Stock Transport Electric Network Company"
- Ulytau region - JSC "Zhezkazgan Distribution Electric Network Company"
- Zhambyl region - LLP "Zhambyl Electric Networks"
- Mangistau region - JSC "Mangistau Regional Electric Network Company"
"The consolidation of electricity transmission and supply functions within a single company will significantly enhance energy system management, improving its efficiency, reducing infrastructure and maintenance costs, and ensuring stable and uninterrupted supply to consumers. This approach will create a more coordinated and responsive system, which is especially crucial for ensuring reliable supply amid growing energy demands. Licensing and regulating market participants will improve transparency, reduce the risks of unfair competition, and ensure price stability through a fair tariff policy controlled by the government. This will foster a more predictable and equitable environment for all energy market participants," the information emphasizes.
Furthermore, with this approach, consumers will be able to contact a single operator for all issues, simplifying interactions and enhancing service convenience. This step will significantly lower administrative barriers and expedite the response process to user requests, the agency notes.