OREANDA-NEWS. On 15 January 2009 was announced, that National Dispatch Centre of System Operator (NDC SO) successfully energized 500 kV interregional OHTL “North Kazakhstan – Aktubinskaya Oblast”.

The telegram addressed to Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, by KEGOC JSC and Batys Transit JSC executives says: “From January 2009 Aktubinskiy power centre will be connected by UPS of Kazakhstan. New lines give opportunities for development of regional economy, expansion of production and creating of new job places. Your assignment pertaining to implementing of breaking through project has been fulfilled in time”.

Essentiality of project works acceleration was pointed out in the President’s address “Growth in prosperity of Kazakhstan citizens is the main goal of state policy”.   On 14 December 2008 500 kV Ulke SS was commissioned within the Project completion. 

Construction of OHTL “North Kazakhstan – Aktubinskaya Oblast” started in September 2006. The Project included in “30 corporate leaders” Program is implemented based on state-private partnership (SPP). Concession Agreement between “Batys Transit” JSC and MEMR of RK envisages transfer of OHTL to the government after 2023 (termination of concession period). Project value made KZT 19.9 bln. The funds were raised out of the issue of infrastructure bonds placed in pension funds and the credit line provided by EDB.

The Project envisages construction of 500 kV OHTL Zhitikara – Ulke, with length of 486 kilometers, upgrading and extension of Zhitikara and Ulke substations. At 500 kV Ulke SS, 400 MVA phase-shifting transformer (PST) is used for the first time. This unique equipment will enable to control power flows in 220 kV lines from Russia and to provide 500 kV OHTL Zhitikara-Ulke with the electricity from Kazakhstan sources.

Commissioning of interregional transmission line “North Kazakhstan – Aktubinskaya Oblast” will ensure energy alternative for industrial region by means of deliveries from Aksusskaya and Ekibastuzskaya GRESs and will cover electricity demand until 2015.

Power balance of Aktubinskaya Oblast is at a deficit making 140-157 MW. So far the deficit has been covered by imported electricity, the tariffs hereof are set by the Russian party. Thus, in December this year the price for electricity delivered from Russian Federation amounts to 5.73 KZT/kWh, while the selling price for electricity at large TPPs of Northern Kazakhstan makes 3.0 – 3.4 KZT/kWh.

“Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company (KEGOC)” JSC carries out technical control over the construction and participates in authorized capital of concessionary “Batys Transit” JSC to the amount of 20%.      

KEGOC JSC is a system operator of Unified Power System of the Republic of Kazakhstan, ensuring stable operation of Kazakhstan UPS as its major task.