Starting February 1, 2025, electricity prices in Kazakhstan may increase. The Ministry of Energy, headed by Almasadam Satkaliev, is considering approving new maximum tariffs for electricity, which will lead to a cost increase for the Unified Purchaser by 2 tenge (3 cents) per kWh. The agency published a draft order on the “Open NPA” portal and reported on applications from 36 energy companies for tariff adjustments.
The main reason for the cost increase is the rise in personnel wages, which was 18% in 2024, and is expected to increase by 15-20% in 2025. The average salary in the energy sector in 2024 was 425 thousand tenge (806 dollars), and in 2025 it is forecasted to rise to 490 thousand tenge (929.3 dollars). This is due to a shortage of qualified specialists, which amounts to 4.5 thousand people.
Additionally, expenses for fuel procurement, coal and gas transportation, as well as materials and equipment for repairs have increased. Furthermore, three new energy companies have submitted applications to set maximum tariffs. Currently, all proposals are under review, and their impact on electricity costs will be carefully evaluated.