South Korea’s KEPCO KPS is ramping up its presence in Kazakhstan’s power sector through multiple agreements aimed at modernizing the country’s aging energy infrastructure, positioning itself for potential long-term contracts in Central Asia.
The power plant service provider has secured partnerships with both state-owned Samruk Energy and private operator Kazakhmys Energy, marking its entry into Kazakhstan’s efficiency enhancement initiatives. The company has also completed a preliminary feasibility study contract, setting the stage for broader involvement in the region’s energy modernization efforts.
Kazakhstan’s government is pushing for power plant upgrades to meet stricter environmental regulations while improving operational efficiency. The initiative aligns with the country’s broader strategy to modernize its Soviet-era energy infrastructure, much of which is approaching the end of its designed operational life.
KEPCO KPS’s CEO Kim Hong-yeon indicated the Kazakhstan projects would serve as a springboard for expansion across Central Asia, leveraging the company’s domestic experience in power plant rehabilitation. The company is preparing to submit proposals for engineering, procurement, and construction projects, signaling its ambition to capture a larger share of the region’s power infrastructure market.
The move comes as Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest economy, seeks to balance its growing energy demands with environmental commitments. The country’s power sector has been under pressure to reduce emissions while maintaining reliable electricity supply to its industrial base.
Should these initial projects prove successful, industry analysts expect KEPCO KPS to secure additional contracts in Kazakhstan’s power sector modernization program, which could serve as a model for similar initiatives across the region.
