Kazakhstan President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev has signed a decree naming 6 October as the date for a national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant. The referendum will ask: “Do you agree with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan?”
He announced the date at a joint meeting of the Kazakhstan Chambers of Parliament, where he delivered a “message to the people” entitled Fair Kazakhstan: law and order, economic growth, public optimism. The message, which covered a wide range of topics, included a section on energy.
“Today, the world’s energy shortage is growing. Our country needs reliable and environmentally friendly energy sources. Therefore, I think we should pay special attention to the development of nuclear energy,” Tokayev said. Because our economy needs more and more energy. Such demand can be provided by nuclear energy. Currently, there are about 200 nuclear power plants in 30 developed and developing countries.”
He added: “We need to move forward, taking into account the specifics of our country and our long-term national interests. In short, we need to think about the future. Therefore, I believe it is necessary to make the most serious decision regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant. I believe that strategic plans should be widely discussed in society.”
He stressed that every important step “must be taken together with the public” and “the same should be true of the referendum on a nuclear power plant”. He noted that it has been a year since the topic of the referendum was discussed in public. “I think this is enough time for our citizens to think comprehensively and make serious decisions.”
In his address to the nation in 2023, he noted: “The development of nuclear energy has become an important economic and political issue. As you know, there are different opinions about whether it is necessary to build a nuclear power plant.” He said: “Kazakhstan is the largest uranium mining country in the world. So, we have the right to build a nuclear plant on our land. Some experts argue that small nuclear stations should be built. However, many citizens and a number of experts are skeptical about the safety of a nuclear station.”
He added: “Considering how much suffering the Semipalatinsk test site caused to our people, one can understand their suspicions. Therefore, we must continue public hearings, detailed, large-scale discussions on this issue. We need to make a final decision on important strategic issues by referendum. This was my promise to the people before the elections in 2019. The question of whether or not to build a nuclear power plant is a very important question for the future of our country. Therefore, I believe that it should be resolved by a national referendum. We will determine the exact deadline later.” The Semipalatinsk Test Site (also known as Semipalatinsk-21 or The Polygon) was the primary location for resting the Soviet Union’s nuclear weapons.
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.
Kazakhstan has a significant nuclear programme with three operating research reactors. Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), a subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund JSC, was set up in 2014. In addition, a Russian-designed BN-350 sodium-cooled fast reactor operated near Aktau for 26 years until 1999. It is now undergoing decommissioning but there are tentative plans to preserve some of the facilities as a museum.
