ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to significantly expand repairs of its aging energy and utilities infrastructure under a 13 trillion tenge (US$27.3 billion) national modernization program, with the government aiming to double the pace of network upgrades while increasing the use of domestic manufacturers, officials said at a July 28 government meeting. Between 2025 and 2029, Kazakhstan plans to invest 13 trillion tenge (US$27.3 billion) in the initiative, allocating 6.8 trillion tenge (US$14.3 billion) to utilities infrastructure and 6.2 trillion tenge (US$13 billion) to the energy sector, according to the Prime Minister’s press service. Priority for local producersThe modernization program is also expected to boost domestic industrial production. Around 500 domestic manufacturers have been registered as potential suppliers for the national project. Officials said demand for domestically produced equipment and materials under the modernization program is expected to reach approximately 2 trillion tenge (US$4.2 billion) by 2029.