Kazakhstan plans to spend $10-12bn on construction of its first NPP if the project is approved at a national referendum. The figure is contained in the draft law “On the use of alternative energy sources”, published on the portal “Open regulatory legal acts”. The document will be in public discussion until 27 July.
In September 2023, Kazak President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in a wide-ranging state-of-the nation proposed holding a referendum on the issue of NPP construction. “In my opinion, the referendum will be aimed primarily at expressing the opinion of Kazakhstanis about the need to develop technologies in this area, and the government, for its part, will offer socially acceptable solutions,” said Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev at the time.
In August 2023, the Energy Ministry had provided an update on previously conducted studies related to the choice of reactor technologies and siting for Kazakhstan’s first NPP. The Ministry said that, based on studies, Ulken village in the Zhambyl district of Almaty region had been chosen as the most preferred locality. The Ministry also recommended choosing a technology “proven by the experience of construction and successful operation of a similar plant”. The shortlist included the following potential suppliers of nuclear technologies:
- China National Nuclear Corporation’s HPR-1000 (Hualong One) reactor;
- Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power’s APR1400 reactor;
- Rosatom’s VVER-1200 and VVER-1000 reactors; and
- EDF’s EPR-1200 reactor.
The date of the referendum will be set after consultations with the public. At a recent meeting with scientists President Tokayev said that the issue of using nuclear energy in the country requires detailed discussions in the professional environment.
“Kazakhstan has embarked on a course towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. However, for this we have to go through a complex process of deep transformation of the economy, which is fraught with serious challenges. The situation is compounded by the fact that in the foreseeable future our country may face a significant shortage of electricity,” he noted. “One of the solutions to the problem may be nuclear energy, the creation of which is actively advocated by representatives of the energy sector. Our country ranks first in the world in terms of the volume of extracted natural uranium and has its own production of nuclear fuel components, he added.
“However, this issue requires extensive public discussions and detailed discussions in the professional environment, without populism and hype. I hope that the scientific community will take an active part in them and give its weighty opinion, based on the principles of objectivity and pragmatism. The final decision on the creation of nuclear energy will be made by the people at a national referendum.”
