Kazakhstan's data center ambitions threatened by power crisis

Kazakhstan faces mounting power shortages that threaten a $1.9 billion data center development initiative, according to OilPrice.com reporting on energy infrastructure challenges in the Central Asian state.

The power crisis poses significant risks to Kazakhstan's broader digital economy strategy, which depends on reliable electricity supply to attract international technology investors and establish the country as a regional hub for cloud computing and data services.

The shortage reflects broader energy management challenges across Kazakhstan's grid, compounded by industrial demand and aging infrastructure. Officials have not yet announced emergency measures or revised timelines for the data center rollout.

The development comes as tech companies globally evaluate locations for server infrastructure, with energy availability a critical factor in site selection. Kazakhstan's difficulties could redirect investment to competitor nations with more stable power supplies, affecting the country's economic diversification goals beyond oil and gas sectors.