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Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station

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Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station (Kazakhstan)

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The Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station is world-famous for its record-breaking chimney, which at 419.7 meters is the tallest in the world. The facility is also located in the Ekibastuz basin in North Kazakhstan and serves as an important addition to the neighboring GRES-1. Construction began in the late 1980s, but due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, only two of the originally planned eight units were completed. With a current capacity of 1,000 megawatts, GRES-2 nevertheless makes a massive contribution to the national power grid. The power station is highly efficient and utilizes local coal for generating base-load electricity. Currently, plans are underway for the construction of a third and fourth unit to double the capacity and meet the rising energy demands of industry. GRES-2 is a joint project between Kazakh and Russian state enterprises, highlighting its transboundary significance. The plant's architecture is an impressive example of late-socialist engineering set within the vastness of the Kazakh steppe.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-17-14-5715212220134-5-14
Rain mm141421222642523422262421

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
This neighboring major power station is globally renowned for its monumental architecture, specifically its gigantic chimney which is widely considered the tallest in the world. It serves as a vital pillar in Kazakhstan's energy sector while doubling as an awe-inspiring symbol of human engineering capabilities.
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Visiting
Direct tourist access inside the operational boundaries of this massive facility is usually forbidden due to strict security and safety protocols. Visitors are typically restricted to appreciating the staggering sheer scale and height of the chimney from exterior public locations surrounding the complex.
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Where to view it
The world's tallest chimney dominates the flat landscape and can be clearly seen from roads stretching for miles around the main perimeter. Approaching the site by car provides excellent photography opportunities to capture the monumental structure set against the expansive backdrop of the open steppe.
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Local products
The immediate industrial zone does not offer commercial goods, but the adjacent settlement functions as an everyday logistics hub for the workers. Travelers can find roadside cafeterias and small shops supplying basic provisions, simple hot meals, and a realistic view into local industrial working conditions.
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Active season
The massive station operates endlessly throughout the year, generating essential power regardless of the dramatic seasonal temperature shifts. The immense scale of the facility, and the smoke emitted from its record-breaking chimney, provide a constant spectacle whether seen during summer heat or severe winter snow.
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Nearby
Visiting this colossal structure is perfectly paired with observing the operations of the sister GRES-1 plant and the nearby massive open-pit coal mines. This industrial triangle creates a compelling thematic route for those fascinated by extreme engineering and immense modern energy production infrastructure.

Geography

Coordinates
52.00000, 75.40000

Facts

  • The chimney is the world's tallest free-standing chimney at 419.7 meters.
  • The current installed capacity is 1,000 megawatts.
  • The first unit was commissioned in the year 1990.
  • The power station is operated jointly by Samruk-Energy and Inter RAO.
  • It burns coal with an ash content of up to 40%.
  • The facility is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the height of its chimney.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Bogatyr Coal MineBogatyr Coal Mine8 km · WExplore →
EkibastuzEkibastuz11 km · SWExplore →
Ekibastuz GRES-1 Power StationEkibastuz GRES-1 Power Station12 km · SWExplore →
Bayanaul National ParkBayanaul National Park43 km · NWExplore →
Karkaraly National ParkKarkaraly National Park72 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station (2)

Meshit📍 landmark

Meshit is a local Muslim mosque situated near the massive Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station.

Pravoslavie shirkeui📍 landmark

Pravoslavie shirkeui is an Orthodox Christian church offering religious services near the Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the specialty?
It operates one of the world's tallest chimneys.
Is it open to tourists?
No, it is a purely industrial facility.
What role does it play?
Important electricity supplier for Kazakhstan and Russia.
Is it near GRES-1?
Yes, both are located in the industrial hub.
Can you see the chimneys?
They are visible from a long distance.
Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station: where is it located?
Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station is located in Kazakhstan.
Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station: what is there to see?
Highlights include Meshit, Pravoslavie shirkeui.
Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station: why is it worth visiting?
The Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station is world-famous for its record-breaking chimney, which at 419.7 meters is the tallest in the world.
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