Almaty's Turksib district constructs a spacious dwelling for an extended family

In the heart of Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, a significant shift is underway in the private sector's heating systems. Historically, many homes have relied on traditional methods such as wood, coal, or older heating systems, especially in areas without easy access to centralized natural gas. However, efforts are being made to transition these homes to cleaner, more efficient heating with natural gas, as part of broader energy modernization initiatives.

Resident of the Turksib district, Baken Zhadyrysyn, is one such individual who is actively trying to help wherever possible. In the Turksib district, he has been instrumental in initiatives that aim to improve the living conditions of vulnerable families. Recently, benefactors, including Zhadyrysyn, laid gas and built a new, warm, and spacious home for a large family in the district. The mother of the family expressed her joy and gratitude, expressing relief at moving away from traditional heating methods and into a more modern home.

However, the transition to natural gas is not without challenges. Approximately 300 homes in the city cannot be connected to natural gas due to various reasons such as houses not being ready, unregistered, lacking a separate stove, or without internal networks. Despite this, ongoing efforts are being made to facilitate this transition and reduce reliance on traditional heating methods.

International cooperation and climate projects play a significant role in these initiatives. For instance, the U.S. Embassy in Almaty is engaged in heating pipeline replacement services, signaling ongoing improvements in heating systems. On a wider scale, projects such as FELICITY II and initiatives supported by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) focus on energy modernization of residential buildings. These projects aim to improve heating efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and support local populations—including low-income households—in upgrading to clean energy heating systems.

While direct details on subsidies or financial aid specifically for low-income families in Almaty to switch to natural gas were not found, the presence of international-supported pilot projects and pipeline upgrades suggests ongoing efforts to facilitate this transition. In the Turksib district, half of the homes with fireplace heating have been connected to natural gas, and low-income families received free assistance to connect to blue fuel.

In Almaty, 99% of the private sector heats their homes with natural gas, with the remaining 1% mainly consisting of low-income individuals. The high connection cost for gas is a significant expense for these families, but kind people, including businessmen, have extended a helping hand to many in need. The local authorities are continuing work on gasifying private homes in the Turksib district, with the hope of improving the living conditions of more vulnerable families in the future.

Despite the progress made, there are still families in need. In the Nurshakhan microdistrict, 14 other needy families received assistance with connecting to natural gas. The problems of these families were first brought to light by the microdistrict elders, highlighting the importance of community engagement in addressing these issues. However, no new information was provided about the remaining 1% of Almaty's private sector or their living conditions.

As Almaty continues to modernize its heating systems, initiatives like those spearheaded by Baken Zhadyrysyn in the Turksib district serve as a beacon of hope for vulnerable families. With continued international support and community engagement, it is hoped that the city can fully transition to cleaner, more efficient heating solutions, improving the quality of life for all its residents.

Baken Zhadyrysyn, a resident in Almaty's Turksib district, is actively involved in initiatives aimed at enhancing the living conditions of vulnerable families, such as building spacious, warm homes with gas connections for families with traditional heating methods.
Ever-increasing efforts are being made to transition homes in Almaty away from traditional heating methods like wood, coal, and older systems, towards cleaner and more efficient natural gas heating, as part of broader energy modernization initiatives.
Despite various obstacles and challenges, such as unregistered homes, lack of internal networks, and houses not being ready for gas connections, ongoing efforts are made to facilitate this transition and reduce reliance on these traditional methods.
International cooperation plays a crucial role in Almaty's energy modernization initiatives, with organizations like the US Embassy, the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, GIZ, and the EIB offering support for projects that focus on improving heating efficiency, reducing environmental impacts, and helping low-income households switch to clean energy heating systems.
The presence of international-supported pilot projects and pipeline upgrades in Almaty shows ongoing efforts to make it easier for low-income families to transition to natural gas, although detailed information about specific subsidies or financial aid was not found in these resources.