Magzum Mirzagaliyev noted that in 2014 the Government approved the General Scheme of Gas Supply of Kazakhstan for 2015-2030. According to this scheme, it is expected to take the level of gas supply to 56% by 2030 from the current 47%. This will provide gas to more than 1,6 thousand settlements or 3 million people.

"The development of the gas transportation infrastructure is of great strategic importance for the country's economy and energy security. This will also improve the ecological and social well-being of the country's population," the Vice Minister said.

According to the speaker, domestic gas consumption during the years of independence grew 1.5 times (from 9 billion m3 in 1991 to 13.8 billion m3 in 2017). The growth of gas consumption by municipal and household enterprises and the population is due to the implementation of a set of measures provided for by the General Scheme of Gas Supply of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

On the Saryarka gas trunkline project on the route Kyzylorda – Zhezkazgan – Karaganda – Temirtau – Astana – Kokshetau – Petropavlovsk, KazTransGas JSC has developed a feasibility study, which received a positive opinion from the State Expertise. According to the feasibility study, the total cost of the Project is 370 billion tenge (including VAT). The project is to be implemented in stages.

According to M. Mirzagaliyev, in compliance with the order of the Head of State, the first stage on the route Kyzylorda – Zhezkazgan – Karaganda – Astana with the length of 1081 km is being worked out, with a cost of 267 billion tenge. This section of the gas pipeline will provide natural gas to the population of Astana, Karaganda, Temirtau, Zhezkazgan and nearby settlements along the main gas pipeline route.

The implementation of the Saryarka project will reduce the emission of pollutants in Astana to 36.1 thousand tons per year. It is expected that about 800 workplaces will be created in the period of construction of the Saryarka main gas pipeline, and 225 jobs — in operation period.

Also, in order to fill the main gas pipeline and ensure gas supply to consumers, design and construction of gas distribution networks are being worked out with akimats of Karaganda, Akmola regions and Astana. Thus, the first stage of distribution networks should be ready for connection to the main gas pipeline as it is completed in December 2019.