Kazakhstan and South Korea Discuss Infrastructure Development of Alatau City under the EIPP Program

Alatau City continues to strengthen its position as a key investment hub of the country. At a recent meeting in Astana between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and a delegation from the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of Korea (Korea Eximbank), Alatau City was officially presented as a promising platform for the implementation of high-tech investment projects.

27.01.2026

EIPP: Grants and Investment for Urban Development

The Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP) was the central focus of the discussions. This is a government initiative of the Republic of Korea aimed at providing expert support and grant financing for key stages of urban development - from the design of public policies and master plans to the preparation of feasibility studies, followed by access to direct infrastructure financing.

“For Kazakhstan, priority objectives include the sustainable development of the energy sector, improving the reliability of energy supply, and attracting international financing. The EIPP program is of practical interest in terms of developing high-quality innovative project solutions and the subsequent implementation of infrastructure initiatives,” said Bakytzhan Ilyas, Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

As part of discussions on the practical implementation of investment projects related to the energy transition, the Kazakh side proposed considering Alatau City as a potential platform for the realization of investment and infrastructure projects involving Korean businesses.

In turn, Korean partners expressed their readiness to conduct a detailed review of proposed project initiatives within the framework of the EIPP program.

Continuity of Agreements: From Seoul to Astana

In recent months, Alatau City has attracted sustained interest from Korean partners, reflecting a growing strategic alignment between the two countries.

Back in October 2025, during the international roadshow “ALATAU RISE With Kazakhstan” in Seoul, the Kazakh delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev presented the city’s master plan, developed with the participation of leading Singaporean and Korean experts. At the same event, the energy security strategy for Alatau City was also outlined.

According to a presentation by Bakytzhan Ilyas, Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the energy infrastructure of Alatau City will include:

Smart Grids
Integration of renewable energy sources with a total capacity requirement of up to 2,000 MW.
Sustainable Heating Solutions
The use of solar collectors, heat pumps, and hydrogen-based technologies.
Hydrogen Cluster
Alatau City is being considered as a platform for the deployment of hydrogen transport and the development of safety standards in this field, in cooperation with Korean experts.

Digital Future and Global Investment

During the meeting in Astana, the Kazakh side proposed that South Korea take part in the development of the JETP (Just Energy Transition Partnership) investment platform. This framework will focus on the digitalization of energy systems and the deployment of green technologies, particularly in large-scale projects such as the development of Alatau City.

A key implementation instrument for this strategy is the memorandum signed in October 2025 between the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI, Republic of Korea) and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The document was concluded under the H2G initiative and is aimed at supporting the development of clean hydrogen in the region.

What does this mean for residents and investors in Alatau City?

Cooperation with Korean businesses and financial institutions ensures that the city’s infrastructure will be developed in line with the most stringent international energy-efficiency standards, while environmental sustainability will remain a priority through the adoption of low-carbon technologies.

Source: www.gov.kz