Abstract
Purpose of the research – to review regulatory legal acts in the field of electric power industry of Kazakhstan and the Kyzylorda region to identify gaps in the state's ensuring of energy security (ES) at the national and regional levels in the context of technological progress and energy transition. Methodology – this study used the content analysis of the form and content of text arrays for the purpose of subsequent meaningful interpretation of the identified patterns, facts and trends reflected in the documents. Content analysis of the legislation of the Kazakhstan was conducted in order to study the legal regulation of the energy sector and identify key areas of state policy. The analysis was carried out using MAXQDA program. Originality / value of the research – the relevance lies in the exceptional importance of ES as a key element of the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan. Kyzylorda region has enormous potential for the development of renewable energy due to geographical features. The state implements energy policy through laws, programs, strategies and concepts. Energy policy in conditions of uncertainty plays a main role in ensuring ES, which implies resistance to external and internal threats to the energy system. The novelty of the study lies in the systematization of state support measures for the electric power industry of Kazakhstan and the identification of their compliance with modern challenges at the national and regional levels, using content analysis. Findings – the absence of a comprehensive definition of regional ES that includes the territorial characteristics of Kazakhstan is revealed. It’s noted that the legislation doesn’t contain definitions of the concepts of “microgeneration”, “smart grids”, “Internet of things”. In the Kyzylorda region there are no regional programs or strategies aimed at developing the electric power sector.