Kazakhstan will choose a partner for the construction of its first nuclear power plant in June 2025, according to Yernat Berdigulov, CEO of Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP.
"As previously stated, the decision on selecting a technology vendor is scheduled for June this year," Berdigulov said in an interview with zakon.kz.
The Kazakh government is currently evaluating several contenders: China’s CNNC, South Korea’s KHNP, Russia’s Rosatom, and France’s EDF.
Berdigulov emphasized that safety is the top priority in the selection process. "We place special emphasis on IAEA standards, which incorporate the lessons of Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima," he noted. Choosing a technology provider, he added, is not just about building a plant — it's about laying the foundation for Kazakhstan's long-term development in the nuclear sector. This includes training local specialists, localizing production, boosting export potential, and advancing scientific expertise.
Back in March, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev voiced support for the construction of not just one, but three nuclear power plants, in an effort to build a full-fledged nuclear energy cluster. He stressed that creating a new energy industry is of strategic importance to ensure Kazakhstan's sustained economic growth for decades to come.
On October 6, 2024, Kazakhstan held a national referendum on whether to move forward with building a nuclear power station in the south of the country. The proposal was backed by 71.12% of voters. Based on studies conducted by the Ministry of Energy, the preferred site for the future NPP is in Almaty Region, near Lake Balkhash.
The government is also exploring the possibility of establishing an international consortium to implement the project.
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Photo: Uladzislau Petrushkevich/Unsplash
Based on TASS materials