Kazakhstan Records Electricity Surplus in First Five Months of 2026
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Kazakhstan generated 53.6 billion kWh of electricity in January-May 2026, while domestic consumption totaled 53.3 billion kWh, resulting in an electricity surplus of approximately 300 million kWh, the Ministry of Energy reported.
According to the ministry, the positive energy balance reflects the stable operation of the country's power generation facilities, the balanced development of the national energy system, and the reliable supply of electricity to meet domestic demand.
Electricity generation in Kazakhstan is projected to reach 126.5 billion kWh by the end of 2026.
To further strengthen the national power system, the country plans to commission 2.6 GW of new conventional and renewable energy capacity this year. The expansion program includes the launch of four gas-fired power plants and the enlargement of two existing energy facilities.
In addition, 10 new renewable energy projects are scheduled to come online, including four wind farms, five solar power plants, and one hydropower station.
The Ministry of Energy expects these projects to fully eliminate the country's electricity deficit by the end of the first quarter of 2027 and secure a sustainable electricity surplus by 2029.
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Kazakhstan Sows 20.9 Million Hectares During Spring Planting Campaign
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Spring fieldwork is continuing across Kazakhstan, with agricultural crops having been sown on 20.9 million hectares so far, according to operational data provided by regional authorities and cited by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Grain crops account for the largest share of the planted area at 15 million hectares. Oilseed crops have been sown on 4.2 million hectares, while fodder crops cover 1.2 million hectares.
In addition, cotton has been planted on 164,300 hectares, potatoes on 128,400 hectares, vegetables on 122,100 hectares, melons and gourds on 83,900 hectares, and sugar beet on 22,000 hectares.
The planting campaign is progressing most actively in the country's key grain-producing regions. A total of 5.3 million hectares have been sown in the Akmola Region, 5 million hectares in the Kostanay Region, and 4.1 million hectares in the North Kazakhstan Region.
More than 133,900 tractors are being used in the sowing campaign, along with around 5,600 high-performance seeding complexes, 71,400 seeders, and 188,500 tillage implements.
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Which Goods and Services Became More Expensive in Kazakhstan in May
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Annual inflation in Kazakhstan slowed to 10.4% in May 2026, down from 10.6% a month earlier. Consumer prices increased by 0.7% month-on-month. The highest annual price growth continued to be recorded for non-food products and food items, which rose by 11.7% and 10.7%, respectively, according to the Bureau of National Statistics.
On a monthly basis, food prices increased by 0.4%, non-food products by 0.6%, and paid services by 1.1%.
Among food products, prices fell for cucumbers by 25.4%, tomatoes by 25.1%, sweet peppers by 8.3%, garlic by 3.1%, mandarins by 2.6%, beetroot by 2%, and both sunflower oil and canned corn by 0.4%. At the same time, lamb prices rose by 4.7%, beef liver and sprats in oil by 3.3%, apples by 3.1%, sausages by 1.7%, drinking milk by 1.1%, eggs by 0.6%, and kefir by 0.4%.
Among non-food products, prices declined for frying pans by 4.8%, dishwashers by 3.3%, books by 2.5%, smartphones by 1.5%, and indoor plants by 0.6%. Meanwhile, cameras became 7.4% more expensive, irons rose by 3.1%, laundry soap by 2.7%, and pharmaceutical products by 1.7%.
The cost of children's amusement rides increased by 6.6%, transport services by 1.5%, and car wash services by 0.7%.
On an annual basis, inflation stood at 10.4% in May 2026. Prices for non-food goods rose by 11.7% year-on-year, food products by 10.7%, and paid services by 8.7%.
Compared with May 2025, prices for cucumbers fell by 35.2%, onions by 25.1%, tomatoes by 24.3%, potatoes by 7.5%, bananas by 4.9%, and rice by 4.3%. At the same time, apples became 9.8% more expensive, frozen fish rose by 8.5%, black tea by 7.6%, pasta horns by 6.6%, and granulated sugar by 2.3%.
Compared with May 2025, prices for domestically assembled passenger cars declined by 17.9%, azithromycin by 6%, and microwave ovens by 1.1%. Meanwhile, laundry soap rose by 10.5%, men's trousers by 10.2%, and both washing powder and household appliances by 9.1%.
Among services, the most significant annual increases were recorded in transport services, up 11.1%, hotel services, up 10.3%, education services, up 8.9%, and mobile communications, up 7.6%.
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Tokayev says EAEU trade to surpass $100 billion
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said trade turnover among Eurasian Economic Union member states is expected to exceed $100 billion this year as the bloc continues to demonstrate stable economic growth despite global uncertainty, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council was held in Astana under the chairmanship of President Tokayev.
Addressing the session, the Kazakh leader noted that May 29 marks a symbolic date for the union, as the founding treaty of the EAEU was signed on this day in 2014.
The Eurasian Economic Union continues to maintain positive macroeconomic dynamics," Tokayev said. "According to forecasts, the growth rate of the combined GDP of the Union’s member states in 2026 and 2027 will amount to around 2.5%."
According to him, mutual trade between EAEU countries exceeded $95 billion last year despite volatility in global markets.
In the current year, we expect an increase in mutual trade by more than 6%, which will allow us to surpass the $100 billion mark," he stated.
At the same time, Tokayev warned that global economic conditions remain challenging. Referring to International Monetary Fund forecasts, he said global economic growth is expected to slow to 3% this year.
In these conditions, the tasks of adapting our union to new realities, strengthening internal resilience and increasing competitiveness acquire particular relevance," he stressed.
The President highlighted digitalization and artificial intelligence as key priorities for the future development of the union. According to Tokayev, global investments in AI technologies have already exceeded $1 trillion, while their contribution to the global economy may surpass $7 trillion in coming decades.
Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan has significantly expanded investment in innovation and digital technologies.
In Kazakhstan, the volume of investments in innovative projects has increased more than fivefold, while more than half of all investments are directed specifically to the digital sphere," he said.
The Kazakh leader also pointed to the rapid growth of the country’s IT sector. According to him, more than 100 high tech companies are currently developing within the Astana Hub ecosystem, while Kazakhstan’s IT exports have exceeded $1 billion.
Tokayev added that Kazakhstan ranks 24th in the UN e-Government Development Index and is among the world’s top 10 countries in terms of online public services quality.
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Kazakhstan sees no alternative to CPC for oil exports - Energy Ministry
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Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov commented on the discussion of Caspian Pipeline Consortium tariffs and the possibility of diversifying Kazakhstan’s oil supplies, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to the minister, the issue of changing transit tariffs through the CPC was discussed on May 28 during the V Eurasian Economic Forum.
The issue was discussed yesterday, but a consensus among shareholders is required. Naturally, as a resource-rich country, we want to maintain the current tariffs, but this will be reviewed at the shareholders’ meeting," Akkenzhenov said on the sidelines of the forum.
At the same time, the minister emphasized that Kazakhstan currently sees no alternative to CPC for transporting the bulk of its oil to international markets.
At present, there is no alternative to this pipeline. Kazakhstan’s oil exports amount to about 60-70 million tons in total. There is no other pipeline today capable of transporting such volumes from Kazakhstan to international markets. Therefore, everything we are discussing concerns additional routes. We are considering any additional routes," said Akkenzhenov.
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