Topar power station
| Part of the Global Coal Plant Tracker, a Global Energy Monitor project. |
| Related coal trackers: |
Topar power station (ТОО "ГРЭС "Топар", Карагандинская ГРЭС - 2, ГРЭС ТОО «KAZAKHMYS ENERGY», Топарская ГРЭС, ГРЭС ТОО "Корпорация Казахмыс") is an operating power station of at least 773-megawatts (MW) in Topar, Karaganda, Kazakhstan with multiple units, some of which are not currently operating. It is also known as Karaganda State Regional power station-2, Karagandinskaya GRES-2.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Topar power station | Topar, Karaganda, Kazakhstan | 49.51333, 72.79861 (exact) |
Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):
- Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 2R, Unit 3, Unit 3R, Unit 4, Unit 4R, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 7R, Unit 8: 49.51333, 72.79861
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | CHP | Start year | Retired year | Emergency/Backup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Operating | coal: bituminous[1] | 55 | subcritical | yes | 2009[2] | – | False |
| Unit 2 | Retired | coal: bituminous[1] | 60 | subcritical | yes | 1962 | 2018 | False |
| Unit 2R | Operating | coal: bituminous[1] | 130 | subcritical | yes | 2019 | – | False |
| Unit 3 | Retired[3][4] | coal: bituminous[1] | 100 | subcritical | yes | 1963 | 2025[5][6] | False |
| Unit 3R | Operating[3] | coal: bituminous[1] | 130[3] | subcritical | yes[3] | 2025[5][3][6] | – | False |
| Unit 4 | Operating | coal: bituminous[1] | 100 | subcritical | yes | 1964 | 2028 (planned)[7] | False |
| Unit 4R | Pre-permit[7] | coal: bituminous[1] | 130 | subcritical | yes | 2028 (planned)[7] | – | False |
| Unit 5 | Operating | coal: bituminous[1] | 100 | subcritical | yes | 1964 | – | False |
| Unit 6 | Operating | coal: bituminous[1] | 86 | subcritical | yes | 1965 | – | False |
| Unit 7 | Operating | coal: bituminous[1] | 86 | subcritical | yes | 1965 | – | False |
| Unit 7R | Cancelled[8] | coal: bituminous[1] | 116 | subcritical | yes | 2027 (planned)[9] | – | False |
| Unit 8 | Operating | coal: bituminous[1] | 86 | subcritical | yes | 1967 | – | False |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
| Unit 2 | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
| Unit 2R | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
| Unit 3 | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
| Unit 3R | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
| Unit 4 | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
| Unit 4R | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
| Unit 5 | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
| Unit 6 | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
| Unit 7 | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
| Unit 7R | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
| Unit 8 | Topar GRES-2 LLP [100%][10] | Kazakhmys Holding LLP [100.0%] |
Project-level captive use details
- Captive industry use (heat or power): power
- Captive industry: Other Metals & Mining
- Non-industry use: power
Project-level coal details
- Coal source(s): domestic
Ownership Tree
This ownership tree is part of the Global Energy Ownership Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.
Background
The power plant is owned by (TOO) Topar GRES-2 LLP and is located in Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan.[11] It used to be part of Kazakhmys Energy until 2018, but was separated into a separate legal entity TОО Topar GRES-2 in February 2018.[12][13] The new entity is still part of Kazakhmys Corporation.[12][14]
The electricity generated by GRES-2 is used to cover the electrical loads of the company's enterprises in the Karaganda, Zhezkazgan, and Balkhash regions. Excess electricity is sold on the wholesale market in Kazakhstan.[15]
The power plant produced 4,351 million kWh in 2021[16], but generation fell to around 3,700 million kWh in 2022.[17]
Capacity
The plant has 8 turbine units with 743 MW of capacity and 16 boiler units, according to the company's website dated 2020.[12] However as per 2022 and 2023 media sources, electrical capacity was reported at 643 MW.[18][17] It was clarified in the 2024 source that turbine unit 3 is out of operation as it is being modernized.[19] Unit 3 turbine has been replaced and started operating in 2025 raising total capacity from 643 MW 773 MW.[20]
Modernization
The power station has been undergoing modernization since 2009. In July 2018, the company stated that they are planning to replace the outdated equipment with four new turbines 130 MW each and six new boilers, during the period of 2018-2026. This would increase the power station's total capacity to 970 MW.[21]
Units 1 and 2 Replacements: Completed
The turbine in unit 1 was replaced in 2009 with a new unit of 55 MW.[22]
In 2018, Unit 2 was taken out of operation and work to replace the boiler (boiler #3) and turbine (turbine #2) was under way.[21] The new turbine unit with capacity of 130 MW was commissioned in July of 2019.[23]
Unit 3 - Replacement: Delayed, But Completed
A new turbine and boiler for Unit 3, 130 MW, were expected to be commissioned by the end of 2018.[21] In June 2022 and in April 2023 this work was still on-going.[18][24][14] A media report from August 2023 stated that works to replace the turbine have been paused, one of the reasons is lack of financing. Another reason is that the delivered equipment had defects incompatible with operation and the turbine elements were sent back for factory repairs.[25] In January 2024, it was reported that work was still on-going[26] and planned for completion in 2024.[27] As of September 2024, works on Unit 3 were still on-going.[28] As of December 2024, commissioning of the 130MW unit appeared to have shifted to 2025.[29] Unit 3 turbine has been replaced and started operating in 2025 raising total capacity from 643 MW 773 MW.[20]
Unit 4 (Planned) and Unit 7 (Cancelled)
As of June 2022, the updated plans for 2024-2027 included replacement of turbine units 4 and 7 which will increase capacity by a total of 60 MW.[18][14] These plans were further mentioned in April 2023 with expected commissioning of the new turbine units in four years' time (ie by 2027).[17]
However early 2024 reports did not mention planned modernization with capacity increase of these units anymore.[27][19] The government order on the plan for the development of the power sector until 2035 issued in February 2024 only referred to the planned replacement of Unit 4 with a 130MW unit.[30] Unit 7 replacement was therefore assumed to not be going ahead. Company reporting as of September 2024 only referred to the on-going repairs of Unit 7 and not replacement.[28]
As of early 2025, planned replacement of Unit 4 was going ahead, an investment agreement was reportedly signed.[31] Target implementation has now shifted to 2028 (from 2027 previously).[31] The start year is still recorded as 2027 in the government plan.[32] As of January 2026, there was no further developments.
The National Coal Generation Project approved in April 2026 listed Topar power station among 11 existing stations planned for modernisation, citing a combined capacity of 250 MW — a figure that most likely appeared to encompass both the already commissioned Unit 3R (130 MW) and the planned Unit 4R (130 MW).[33]
Mention of Coal-to-Gas Conversion
In December 2021, the vice Minister of Energy stated the plan to convert the plant to gas. Gas would be available in the Karagranda region with the commissioning of the first phase of Saryarka Gas Pipeline in the end of 2019. The conversion of the plant to gas could take about 10 years.[34] However there was no further news on converting the plant to gas, as of December 2024. This past announcement did not appear to be confirmed by substantiated plans.
Pollution
The government decree from April 2022 ranked the Karaganda State Regional power station-2 as Number 4 in the list of the main polluters in Kazakhstan as of 2021. The government decree comes into force from 2025.[35] It was not clear what the purpose of the ranking is.
There are reports of dust from the power plant's ash damp with video footage. Dust was practically covering the settlement of Topar, impacting the health of local residents.[36][37]
In May 2026, the Karaganda Regional Department of Ecology conducted an unplanned inspection of the plant following a complaint from a public foundation. Inspectors found a breach of the seal on Boiler #8 in the second-phase boiler shop, resulting in flue gas emissions and unorganised air pollution. An overflow of the sludge channel in the first-phase equipment was also recorded, attributed to excessive sludge generation and non-compliance with operational procedures. The plant was issued mandatory remediation orders and fined a total of 1,946,250 tenge (~$3,800).[38]
Incidents
In December 2020, a rupture of a steam pipe at boiler number 14 killed one worker and injured three.[39]
Ownership Change
In March 2026, Kazakhmys Corporation announced a restructuring of its assets, under which Topar GRES was removed from the current Kazakhmys group perimeter together with other energy and coal assets. According to Adata data cited by Kursiv in April 2026, after the cnahge of ownership Topar GRES was owned by Kazakhmys Power Projects B.V. - a company independent from Kazakhmys Holding LLC.[40][41]
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 https://www.gem.wiki/Coal_source_methodology_for_the_Global_Coal_Plant_Tracker.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.inform.kz/ru/moschnost-karagandinskoy-gres-2-za-schet-novoy-turbiny-uvelichena-na-55-mvt_a2203496.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 https://www.inform.kz/ru/v-karagandinskoy-oblasti-zapushen-noviy-energoblok-gres-topar-72f31e.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240423160920/https://dknews.kz/ru/v-strane/312576-toparskaya-gres-na-teploistochnike-idet-modernizaciya. Archived from the original on 2024-04-23.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20240125151531/https://24.kz/ru/news/social/item/612369-vitse-premer-sdelal-preduprezhdenie-kommunalshchikam-temirtau. Archived from the original on 2024-01-25.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20250106213940/https://sozmedia.kz/57508/. Archived from the original on 2025-01-06.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 https://www.inbusiness.kz/ru/news/kazahstancam-vystavili-rekordnyj-chek-za-modernizaciyu-energetiki-strany.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ (PDF) https://web.archive.org/web/20240417094445/https://www.gov.kz/uploads/2024/2/20/60845b9bf4f31194ae43ed12483269a5_original.241160.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-04-17.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://kz.kursiv.media/2023-04-14/kak-regulirovanie-majninga-skazalos-na-energosisteme-kazahstana/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 https://web.archive.org/web/20240125151546/https://gres-topar.kz/ru/o-kompanii/. Archived from the original on 2024-01-25.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "Карагандинская ГРЭС-2," Wikipedia, last edited May 11, 2019
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "ТОО «ГЛАВНАЯ РАСПРЕДЕЛИТЕЛЬНАЯ ЭНЕРГОСТАНЦИЯ ТОПАР»". kazakhmys.kz. Retrieved December 2022.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Company website. "GRES Topar-2". gres-topar.kz. Retrieved December 2022.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Минэнерго проверило готовность Топарской ГРЭС к отопительному сезону". https://www.youtube.com/. September 2022.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ↑ "В Карагандинской области на ГРЭС и ТЭЦ еще не начали ремонт котлов," KazInform, September 4, 2017
- ↑ "В 2021 году электроэнергетика РК подошла к пределу своих возможностей". kz.kursiv.media. April 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Как регулирование майнинга сказалось на энергосистеме Казахстана". kz.kursiv.media. April 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "Топарская ГРЭС увеличит мощность на 60 МВт после замены турбин". energyland.info. Jun 5, 2022. Retrieved Jun 14, 2022.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Топарская ГРЭС: на теплоисточнике идёт модернизация". dknews.kz. January 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 20.0 20.1 Аверченко, Дарья (2025). "В Карагандинской области запущен новый турбоагрегат ГРЭС Топар". inform.kz.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "Увеличение мощности Топарской ГРЭС сгенерирует прибыль". Inbusiness.kz. Jul 5, 2018. Retrieved Nov 17, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Мощность Карагандинской ГРЭС-2 за счет новой турбины увеличена на 55 мВт". Kainform. Oct 9, 2009. Retrieved Nov 17, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "На Топарской ГРЭС запущена новая турбина". Kazakhstan Today. Jul 5, 2019. Retrieved Nov 17, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "В районах Карагандинской области ремонтируют теплосети". el.kz. April 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "ВИЦЕ-ПРЕМЬЕР СДЕЛАЛ ПРЕДУПРЕЖДЕНИЕ КОММУНАЛЬЩИКАМ ТЕМИРТАУ". https://24.kz/. August 2023.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ↑ "Мощность Топарской ГРЭС планируют увеличить". www.inform.kz. January 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 27.0 27.1 "В ходе подготовки к общенациональному референдуму о целесообразности строительства АЭС в Казахстане проводится информационно-разъяснительная работа с населением – МЭ РК". primeminister.kz/. March 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Готовность Карагандинской области к отопительному сезону обсудили в акимате региона". www.gov.kz. September 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Итоги 2024 года Министерства энергетики: ключевые достижения и перспективы развития энергетической отрасли". sozmedia.kz. December 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Приказ "Об утверждении Плана мероприятий по развитию электроэнергетической отрасли до 2035 года"". /www.gov.kz. February 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Казахстанцам выставили рекордный чек за модернизацию энергетики страны". //inbusiness.k. January 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "GOV.KZ - Единая платформа интернет-ресурсов государственных органов (ЕПИР ГО)". www.gov.kz. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ↑ "11 электростанций модернизируют в Казахстане". nationalbusiness.kz. April 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Три станции хотят перевести на газ в Карагандинской области". kz.kursiv.media. December 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Об утверждении перечня пятидесяти объектов I категории, наиболее крупных по суммарным выбросам загрязняющих веществ в окружающую среду на 1 января 2021 года". adilet.zan.kz. April 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Посёлок Топар: видео из ветреных дней напоминают сцены апокалипсиса". orda.kz/. August 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Топарская ГРЭС: Золоотвал угрожает здоровью жителей?". October 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Топарскую ГРЭС оштрафовали на два миллиона тенге за выбросы". inform.kz. May 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "В Карагандинской области на ГРЭС-2 произошёл разрыв паровой трубы, один человек погиб и ещё трое пострадали," Inform Buro, December 13, 2020
- ↑ "«Казахмыс» вывел из корпорации уголь, энергетику и страховщика". Exclusive.kz. March 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Топ-менеджер из структур «Казахмыса» строит солнечную станцию на деньги БРК". Kursiv.media. April 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
