Astana’s buses to run on gas

    By Daniyar Mukhtarov
    The buses in Astana to run on gas, Astana Akim, Imangali Tasmagambetov said at a briefing.
    "It is planned to fully renew the bus fleet in Astana," he said. "There will be 350 new buses in the city fleet in 2014."
    Infrastructure projects related to the preparations for EXPO-2017 will be implemented as well.
    About five million square meters of housing will be built in Astana through 2017.
    A program for the thermal modernization and renovation of residential buildings is being implemented.
    "The first phase of renovation in 2014 includes 27 construction projects on the left side and along the relevant route," Tasmagambetov said.
    Moreover, energy conservation saving projects will be put into place in Astana. At this stage, a comprehensive plan for energy conservation for 2013-2015 is being implemented in the city. It includes the introduction of new management principles in the energy system, the mayor said.
    "A state energy register of enterprises consuming more than 1,500 tons of fuel per year has been created," he said.
    "This is about 12 million kilowatt hours of electricity, or 10,000 Gcal. According to the analysis, there are 49 such facilities in Astana. They will conclude agreements with an authorized and local executive body by assuming commitments to reduce the consumption of energy to at least 25 percent within five years."
    In general, the implementation of the comprehensive energy conservation program by 2015 will make ti possible to obtain electricity in the amount of 78 million kilowatt hours per year, and thermal energy - 170,000 Gcal per year. This means a saving of 48,000 tons of fuel and the prevention of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere of a total of 145,000 tons of CO2 per year, Trend reports.