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Ekibastuz GRES-1 Power Station

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

energy

Ekibastuz GRES-1 Power Station (Kazakhstan)

Weather…

The Ekibastuz GRES-1 Power Station is one of the largest coal-fired thermal power plants in the world and a giant of the Kazakh energy sector. It is located near the city of Ekibastuz in the northeast of the country and utilizes the vast deposits of coal from the nearby Bogatyr open-pit mine. Constructed in the early 1980s, the power station features eight power units with a total installed capacity of 4,000 megawatts. Each unit generates 500 megawatts, making the facility a central pillar of electricity supply in Kazakhstan and neighboring states. In recent years, extensive rehabilitation programs have been carried out to bring decommissioned units back online and to lower emissions through modern electrostatic precipitators. The electricity is exported via high-voltage lines as far as Russia. The plant is known for its characteristic twin 330-meter-high chimneys, which are visible from afar across the steppe. GRES-1 plays a key role in supporting the heavy industry in the Pavlodar region.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-17	-14	-5	7	15	21	22	20	13	4	-5	-14
Rain mm	14	14	21	22	26	42	52	34	22	26	24	21

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

This facility is one of the world's largest coal-fired power stations, generating a substantial portion of Kazakhstan's national energy supply. It plays a foundational role in the regional economy, utilizing fuel sourced from the immense neighboring Bogatyr coal mine.

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Visiting

Access to the interior of this critical infrastructure is typically heavily restricted and strictly reserved for authorized personnel only. However, travelers passing through the area can usually appreciate the massive scale of the industrial complex from public roads just outside the perimeter.

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Where to view it

The most practical vantage points are situated along the main highways approaching Ekibastuz, offering unobstructed views of the sprawling industrial skyline. Photography from these distant public viewing areas is generally possible, capturing the stark contrast of the power plant against the steppe.

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Local products

While the station itself does not sell direct consumer goods, the nearby city of Ekibastuz provides travelers with typical Kazakh provisions and services. Local markets cater to the substantial workforce, offering regional foods, basic supplies, and glimpses into the daily lives of local industrial workers.

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Active season

Energy generation continues relentlessly around the clock, functioning continuously throughout all seasons of the year to meet regional grid demands. From a visual standpoint, the towering smoke plumes are most striking during the frigid winter months, contrasting sharply with the cold, clear skies.

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Nearby

A trip here is most logically combined with viewing the adjacent Ekibastuz GRES-2 facility and the colossal Bogatyr open-pit coal mine. Exploring the industrial heritage of the broader Pavlodar Region provides a comprehensive perspective on Kazakhstan's monumental resource extraction and energy infrastructure.

Geography

Coordinates

51.80000, 75.30000

Facts

The total installed capacity of the power station is 4,000 megawatts.
It consists of eight units, each with a capacity of 500 megawatts.
Construction of the facility took place between 1980 and 1983.
The power plant is fueled by coal from the Bogatyr open-pit mine.
The two main chimneys each reach a height of 330 meters.
It belongs to the sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna and is managed by Samruk-Energy.