ASTANA, March 26. /TASS/. The Kazakh authorities together with Russian partners may start construction on a thermal power plant (TPP) complex in the city of Kokshetau this year, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Almassadam Satkaliyev told reporters.

"We are talking about TPPs that are to be constructed together with our Russian colleagues, the Inter RAO Export company. The Kokshetau feasibility study is already being revised. There is a lot of progress here with the possibility of starting construction on three TPPs in the republic this year," he said when asked about the republic potentially being a hub for thermal power.

As for the other two TPP projects, feasibility studies are still being conducted, after which technical solutions will be approved. Equipment has been ordered and the final schedule of construction has been greenlighted, the minister added. "Coordination is also underway now in Russia regarding the provision of subsidized loans related to export financing for equipment suppliers," he noted.

Satkaliyev said earlier that Kazakhstan planned to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Russia to build three coal TPPs in the cities of Kokshetau, Semey and Ust Kamenogorsk.