This article discusses the main causes of the low energy efficiency and high energy intensity of Kazakhstan’s economy. A number of factors that constrain and enhance the process of improving the energy efficiency and energy saving of Kazakhstan’s economy are identified. The conducted studies substantiate the need to develop and adopt new measures in order to reduce the energy intensity of the country’s GDP. The analysis is based on statistics from the Committee on Statistics of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the World Bank. The energy efficiency indicators of Kazakhstan’s economy are compared with those of the CIS and developed countries. This testifies to the objectivity of the findings. The article suggests measures to improve the energy efficiency of the country's economy, which are grouped by the nature of their impact into economic, social and organizational (administrative).

In today's world, the issue of efficient energy consumption and reducing dependence on fossil energy resources is especially acute. Each extra kilowatthour of electricity is a significant burden on the expenses of any type of enterprise, leading to a decrease in its competitiveness. The first step in solving this problem should be a general reduction in energy consumption by increasing the energy efficiency of the equipment used, choosing the best solutions for engineering systems and implementing a range of energy-saving measures. This study presents an instrument for achieving energy efficiency by utilizing waste gas heat on the example of existing fixed assets of diesel power plants in Kazakhstan. Based on an analysis of the technical indicators of the equipment, an economic analysis of the feasibility of utilizing the internal combustion engine's (ICE) waste heat is carried out. With the help of the latter it is determined that in the conditions of market electricity tariffs in Kazakhstan, the indicated innovations can be implemented in 3-3.5 years.