The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced a pre-financing agreement on Thursday with the municipal heat and electricity provider Kyzylordateploelektrocentr to modernize heating stations in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan.

The two parties will develop the program with the support of the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) under the district heating sector modernization framework. The agreement will also seek to lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Janet Heckman, the EBRD's director for Kazakhstan, signed the pre-financing agreement with K.E. Kusherbaev, the akim of Kyzylorda Oblast, during the III Baykonur Investment Forum.

"This modernization program is essential for the many people of Kyzylorda who will get more reliable heating thanks to individual heating substations in many buildings," Heckman said. "We are pleased with our cooperation with the municipal authorities of Kyzylorda and look forward to working together to improve people's lives."

The modernization program will improve the efficiency of heating stations, transmissions and distribution networks.

"We are very pleased with the high level of cooperation with EBRD," Kusherbaev said. "We see this project as an important lead to improve the city residents' lives quality as well as a tool to ensure sustainable development of the district heating company in future."