Italy boosts coal imports from Kazakhstan
Between January and August 2024, Kazakhstan exported 109,900 tons of coal to Italy, valued at $20.4 million. This marks a 317-fold increase in volume and a 309-fold increase in value year-on-year (YoY), according to Kazakhstan’s State Revenue Committee under the Ministry of Finance.
Despite the surge in exports to Italy, Kazakhstan’s total coal exports from January to August decreased to 5.7 million tons, valued at $228.9 million. This represents a 13.3% decline in volume and a 36.23% fall in value YoY. Poland remained the largest consumer of Kazakhstani coal, purchasing 1.4 million tons for $88.7 million, a drop of 26.4% in volume and 38.87% in value YoY.
Several countries have significantly increased their imports of coal from Kazakhstan this year. Belgium imported 61,000 tons (a 3.1-fold increase) for $10.3 million; India imported 695,600 tons (a fourfold increase) for $11.5 million; Israel imported 415,500 tons (a threefold increase) for $11.5 million; Morocco imported 340,000 tons (a 4.6-fold increase) for $5.8 million and the Netherlands imported 113,300 tons (a 2.5-fold increase) for $12.6 million.
In contrast, Turkey’s imports decreased by 39.8% to 466,800 tons, valued at $9.4 million (a 67.79% decline). Latvia saw a 29.2% reduction in volume to 953,400 tons, worth $14 million (a 66.52% drop) and Uzbekistan’s imports fell by 20.2% to 449,100 tons, valued at $10.1 million (a 30.84% decrease).
Kazakhstan’s coal consumption could rise by 25 million tons by 2035 due to the planned launch of coal-fired power plants in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Semey and Kokshetau, along with additional power units in Ekibastuz and the development of the country’s coal chemical industry, according to Turar Zholmagambetov, deputy chairman of the Industrial Development Committee under the Ministry of Industry and Construction.
In 2023, coal production in Kazakhstan decreased by 1.1%, totaling 112.7 million tons. Most of this coal (65.9 million tons) was used for electricity production, while 31.9 million tons were exported. Additionally, 9 million tons of coal were supplied for household needs, while industrial enterprises received 5.9 million tons.
Kazakhstan ranks among the top 10 countries with the largest coal reserves, estimated at 33.6 billion tons. At the current rate of consumption, these reserves are expected to last for 300 years. Coal currently generates about 70% of the country’s electricity.
Sungat Yessimkhanov, Kazakhstan’s vice minister of energy, stated that up to five gigawatts of coal-fired power generation capacity will be commissioned in the country by 2035. He mentioned that this includes the launch of Power Unit No. 1 at Ekibastuz GRES-1, which will require 2-3 million tons of Ekibastuz coal (mined by Bogatyr Coal), as well as Power Units 3 and 4 at Ekibastuz GRES-2. Furthermore, combined heat and power plants will be built in Kokshetau, Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk.
