Transformer is not an assembly of a bicycle. From this perspective it is necessary to note that the implementation of new projects, while working on the production, for such young man is to justify trust. We started talking to Yerkebulan Ilyassov, who devoted his graduate work for the development of production in Kazakhstan.

- Each year, after the summer semester, I took internship at JSC "Kentau Transformer Plant" - he said. To learn the steps of constructing such a complex mechanism as a transformer, I put on protective clothes and went to the shop. This helped me identify all sequences of assembling process. Then I worked in the main department of the enterprise, where new projects are carried out - in the department of designers. I went to define what constitutes a part of JSC "KTZ"'s competitiveness. I looked into the range of production of the plant and potential of similar plants. Thus, the project called "Production of oil power transformer of 35-110 kV" became the theme of my thesis. I had to do a lot of work. Together with leading experts of the plant I carried out calculations of the business project and the construction of the plant covering an area of 7,000 square meters, with a projected annual capacity of 1,200 MVA. After finishing the graduate work, I presented it with a "good" mark. Although the management of the plant liked the implementation of this idea, it seemed to me that it won't be launched in the nearest future.

After graduation I was offered a position of the "head of the project to produce power transformer of 35-110 kV." The proceedings of the project were fully discussed. In the second half of 2008, construction of the plant commenced. In addition, 150 jobs were opened, and there were 350 people working. At present, the construction of the project is fully completed. If to judge the task of protecting the company and the environment, it is a modern enterprise equipped with high technology equipment by leading European manufacturers, which complies with international standards. On the exterior the plant is covered with modern freeze resistant materials, which warms up in the winter and cools in summer. In the course of the works a substantial fund was allocated for sustainable polymer flooring, so that it was convenient, high quality and long term.

- Transformers with capacity of 25 000 MVA and voltage of 35-110 kV will be manufactured here. This transformer filled up the range of transformers with the power of 1000 kVA to 25,000 kVA, and voltage of 35 kV. Today the enterprise started to implement production of electric mega machines with voltage of 110 kV. And this can be called high professionalism.

- It is known that earlier high-voltage transformers were manufactured in the city of Zaporozhye. Now Kazakhstan has achieved this. New facility needs a lot of money, but what can we say about payback. What is its future? ...

- To answer your question I would have to refer to the global challenges facing our factory. In the republic there is no industry-research institute. During the Soviet Union, the only institution forproduction of transformers was in the city of Zaporozhye, of course monopolistic status is beneficial for them. Colleagues from Zaporozhye do not want to share with the technology for the production of high-voltage transformers. For them it is convenient, if we are not competitors in the market, but rather will be consumers of finished production. And we want to fill in our domestic market with new products which were not issued before. The Design and Technology department of the plant develops dozens of products each year. 12 highest paid designers and technologists do the work of a whole scientific institution. A large fund is allocated to upgrade technology and to prepare the development of new products and designers. However, we are not allowed to cut expenses on this matter. The cut-downs will hinder the growth and development of the enterprise. For 50 years the plant produced 10 kV transformers. But we had difficulties in the implementation of the project to develop transformers of 35 kV voltage. The most important problem is shortage of specialists and technologists. While the construction of the plant was on the way, our specialists traveled to Russia, Ukraine, Europe, China, visited similar enterprises, headhunted and participated in many specialized exhibitions. This also required substantial funds. In return we achieved a good result in a short time, just in 12 months we built a super modern plant. Eight new products of high demand were implemented and produced. have been mastered and produced eight productions a huge demand. The first customer of electric machine with capacity of 25,000 kVA and voltage of 35 kV was Atyrau oil refinery. We express our deep gratitude for the trust by management of the Atyrau oil refinery. It was a patriotic and civic step. The way to domestic enterprises should be open.

- The numerous local young engineers attract the attention. Usually, managers of factories do not want to allocate money for the training of young personnel, and recruit ready specialists. It can be seen as good HR policy?

- Training of young professionals - one of the strategies of the main directions of the company. Each year in secondary schools among the graduates we provide consulting and conduct campaigns, such as "choose the profession of engineer, go to energy universities!". I think the result of our work is that each year hundreds of high school graduates come to pass examinations at the Department of Energy. In JSC "KTZ" there is a regulation "On young professionals." It provides benefits such as irrevocable financial aid amounting to KZT 200.000, paid internship, recruitment to the top management, the allocation of flats from the housing fund of the plant, bonus for leraning foreign languages.

- Isn't it more effective to recruit experienced and ready-to-work professionals than to splurge and spend time with the young? Because the head production plant - the transformer plant - is very far away, isn't it difficult pull young people there?

- Now the youth wants to be financially independent, so their choice usually comes to the trading industry. Many of them do not want to leave the big cities such as Almaty, Astana and regional centers. Kentau city is far away, and is not socially convenient. Issues such as drinking water, central heating, roads - are global. High schools do not teach to produce transformers. To hide this flaw, we attract youngsters by providing the necessary conditions. We highly value every competent engineer, technician and worker. At the plant there was created the "Club of Young Professionals," which brings together young people aged 25-35 years. Everyone has the opportunity to climb the career ladder. The members of the club have to solve main problems, such as increasing the knowledge and active participation in industrial and economic life of the plant. We are expected to continuously update business processes, improve working conditions, increase safety of labor and organization, improving the quality of products and other useful applied ideas, new attractive offers that correspond to the young's point of view.

-What kind of projects do you plan to put into production in the near future?

- «Alageum Electric» Managing company explores the market conditions, and is responsible for monitoring and expert work. As a result, goals and objectives are defined, the strategy is executed. In the previous year, the company implemented several projects. We designed and delivered additional stations of block assembly transformer with voltage of 35/110 kV, commissioned by such companies as JSC "PetroKazakhstan Resources Kumkol", JSC "Mangystau Munay Gaz", JSC "KREK".

In the new Kentau transformer factory 300 people are provided with jobs. In Turkestan we opened a plant, which annually produces 50,000 pieces of reinforced concrete pillars of SV-95, 110, 111, 164 marks. Currently it employs 250 people in three shifts. In the same place we are planning to build a plant for the production of power transformers with voltage of 220 V and 500 kV. These electric mega-machines will be used by the national company "KEGOC." We know that the project on the scientific approach is complicated, and it won't be easy to carry it out. The necessary funds for the purchase of the necessary technological equipment for the construction of buildings can be taken as a loan from banks. But the main problem is calculations, we cannot start production without design and technological documents. In addition, the owners of the information require lots of money, yet the question is whether they will sell the information to us. What company will open the way to its competitors? But we will achieve this goal! The policy of the Head of the state in a definite sector of economy required to increase Kazakhstan's share in purchases. Therefore, we believe that in the next two years we will be able to run such a huge project. Think about it, there will be 2,000 new jobs. What large enterprise can now boast with a solution to massive unemployment? There are many such projects and ideas of power sector. In Kazakhstan, there are no plants to produce low-voltage equipment, vacuums, gas circuit breakers, microprocessor-based protection, generators, electric engines and other necessary equipment. Why don't we close these gaps in the future? Considering the fact that we do not have developed sector of domestic production of electric machines, we can assume that the country will open hundreds of factories soon. That's when we, young professionals, will be able to invest our efforts to the machinery industry as managerial personnel in the development of scientific products.

- Yerkebulan, tell us about your impressions when the construction of the plant was finished under your guidance, when the plant was launched and when you saw a giant transformer as its first product?

- Of course, it is pleasant to see the result of your work. Not every day do we see the launch of a new modern plant for the production of power transformers. This is a victory for all employees of the plant and the team of «Alageum Electric» managing company. The production of a transformer with voltage above 35 kV requires a very complex work. With the increase of voltage, the responsibility grows and transportation becomes more complicated. Of course, I'm still a young engineer. I still have a lot to learn and work. But in spite of all, I dream about «Alageum Electric» company to become a national brand company. I want the company to become known as a Siemens, Schneider Electric, General Electric ... To achieve such dream, I propose to unite Kazakh engineers and energy specialists for implementation and exploration of scientific production and creation of an energy "star camp". Because energy is the future of our country.

Interviewed by Baktiyar Tayzhan, the "Egemen Kazakstan" South Kazakhstan region, 06.10.2009 № 327-328 (25725)

JSC "Kentau Transformer Plant"(Alageum Electric). Best example of domestic product.// The Egemen Kazakhstan №75. 06.10.2009