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On October 16-17, 2023, the second National Seminar «Digitalization and reforms of the electric power industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan» was completed at the site of the international technopark of the IT startup «Astana Hub».  

Purpose of the seminar - exchange of best practices and knowledge in the field of digitalization, transformation of the energy infrastructure of the Republic of Kazakhstan through the introduction of digital technologies and platform solutions to improve the efficiency, security and continuity of its functioning.

The organizers of the National Seminar were the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, JSC «Kazakhstan electric energy and capacity market operator» with the support of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

The seminar was attended by foreign and domestic industry experts, representatives of executive authorities, the private sector, key players in the electricity market of Kazakhstan and other market participants.  

During the National Seminar, presentations and discussions of the main priority directions for digitalization of the electric power industry were held, the results and problematic issues of the balancing electricity market in the Republic of Kazakhstan were discussed. Seven informative panel sessions were held. Each session was informative and productive.

The national seminar was opened with a welcoming speech by Moderator - Chairman of the Board of JSC «Kazakhstan electric energy and capacity market operator» Kairat Rakhimov.

In his speech, Kairat Rakhimov noted that the program of the second, already traditional National seminar is quite rich. It links two important issues that are very intertwined and connected with each other, this is the issue of the overall reform of the electricity industry market and the issue of digitalization, which is often discussed at the present time.

The moderator invited a representative of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, represented by the Director of the Department of Digitalization and Informatization Alexey Anisimov, for an introductory speech. He also introduced Vincenzo Acquaro, Head of the Digital Government Department, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. And in conclusion, he invited Rustem Bigari, Director General of the Digital Government Support Center.

At the first panel session - «Digitalization of the energy sector in Kazakhstan» the speakers were:

- Chairman of the Board of JSC «Situational and Analytical Center of the Fuel and Energy Complex of the Republic of Kazakhstan» (SAC FEC) Adilkhan Kopabaev, with a presentation on the topic: «Effort of the SAC FEC of the Republic of Kazakhstan»;

- Director of the Department of Technological Development and R&D of JSC «KEGOC» Bauyrzhan Uteuliev, with a report on the topic: «Digitalization of the national electric grid and the activities of the System Operator»;

- Chief Researcher on Quantum Machine Learning at Terra Quantum Asel Sagingalieva, with a report on: « Quantum technologies for breakthrough growth»;

- Foreign speaker from the Netherlands, representative of BAS BV Klass Hommes with a report «Advantages and challenges of digitalization of the energy sector in the Netherlands».

The moderator of the first panel session was Arpine Korekyan, UN DESA Public Administration Officer.

At the second panel session - «Discussion of the steps of implementing SmartGrid and SmartMetering in Kazakhstan», the speakers were:

- Representative of BAS BV (Netherlands) Klass Hommes with a report on the topic: «Smart Metering in the Netherlands»;

- Expert of JSC «KOREM» Almaz Saukhimov with a report on the topic: «Development of Smart Metering in Mangystau electric networks».

The moderator of the second panel session was Alexey Anisimov, Director of the Department of Digitalization and Informatization of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

At the end of the first day of the national seminar, the third panel session was held – «The new model of the wholesale market and the first results of functioning». We told you more about the session earlier.

The second day of the seminar was opened by Mrs. Arpine Korekyan with summing up the results of the 1st day and drawing up the agenda for the 2nd day.

The work of the seminar was continued by the moderator - Director of the Digital Service Department of JSC «KOREM» Sanzhar Momynov at the fourth panel session - «Problems of coordination between participants in the energy sector – from political regulation to energy production and consumption». The presentation was made by the speakers:

- Representative of BAS BV (Netherlands) Klass Hommes with a report on the topic: «PR product markets»;

- Independent expert Telman Shuriev with a report on the topic: «Part of predictive analytics in asset management».

Case studies from the Netherlands and the UK were discussed during the session.

At the fifth panel session, Chairman of the Board of JSC «KOREM» Kairat Rakhimov demonstrated a model of a Digital energy platform.

«Digitalization is not an end in itself, but a tool. And the first stage of digitalization is digitization, with the ultimate goal of transformation. First of all, business transformation» - the speaker shared his vision.

In continuation of the discussion of the topical issue of the transformation of the energy sector, the sixth session was organized, where the model of the Digital Energy Platform was discussed at a panel discussion. Alexey Doronin (JSC «KOREM»), Dauren Shakenov (JSC «KEGOC»), Rustambek Spanov (ALE «KEA»), Alexey Anisimov (Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan), Arpine Korekyan (UN DESA) and Klass Hommes (BAS BV, Netherlands) took part as speakers.

The moderator of this discussion was an independent expert Telman Shuriev.

The platform brought together the best experts and active participants, creating an atmosphere of laid-back communication. During the discussion, the need for further integration of the platform was expressed, the speakers shared their opinions, views and recognition of the importance of the digital platform in the energy sector with ease. 

The speaker from the Netherlands, Mr. Klass Hommes, shared his opinion: « The digital platform is a very important step towards the transformation of the energy industry. As a recommendation, I can mention the need for prioritization, i.e. to build step-by-step moves and today's discussion is also the right decision, here we share opinions and recommendations that are necessary in the process of becoming a platform. Now that the platform has already been launched, the next steps are the need to attract more stakeholders and the correct formulation of priorities».

Seventh panel session – «Regulatory sandboxes as an innovative tool» was the final part of the two-day seminar. Richard Stace, an expert from the UK, made an online presentation on the draft of the UN DESA Global Guidelines on Regulatory «sandboxes» in the Energy Sector. An expert from Kazakhstan, Asylbek Davletov, also made a report on «Regulatory sandboxes in the financial sector». The moderator was Mrs. Arpine Korekyan.

At the conclusion of the two-day productive National seminar, Mrs. Arpine Korekyan expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the entire staff of JSC «KOREM» for organizing this workshop. She also thanked foreign and domestic experts, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan and all participants for their active participation. She also thanked the staff of the international technopark of the IT startup «Astana Hub» for providing the venue.

Photos of the two-day National Seminar is available at the following link