Kazakhstan has finalised the tender process and shortlisted technology suppliers for construction of its first NPP. According to the Atomic Energy Agency (AEA), the shortlist of reactor technology providers includes Rosatom, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), France’s EDF, and the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).
“The final decision on the choice of a supplier or consortium for the implementation of the project will be made at a meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission, taking into account the national interests of the country,” according to the AEA statement.
The construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is expected to be one of the country’s major projects, said Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Murat Nurtleu, during a recent meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who was in Almaty to attend a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Nurtleu pointed out that Russia is a big fish in Kazakhstan’s pond, serving as one of its key trade partners and largest investor.
“By the end of 2025, Russia will be ranked second after the Netherlands, and based on the upcoming results, I believe Russia will become the top investor. Around $4bn has already been invested. Trade is progressing well; according to Kazakhstan’s statistics, last year we traded $28bn. Our target was to reach $30bn. I believe this year we will exceed $30bn, and we are fully prepared for that,” he said.
He also highlighted that Kazakhstan and Russia are engaged in over 170 collaborative enterprises. “Regarding investment projects, I would like to emphasise that we have many joint and large-scale projects with Russian businesses, with over 170 enterprises set to be launched in the near future. These projects are strategically important, covering areas such as transport and logistics, energy, metallurgy, machine engineering, industry, and agriculture,” Nurtleu noted.
Lavrov underscored that Kazakhstan represents a resilient partner and strategic ally within the geopolitical landscape of Russia. “We have traditionally supported each other, both in resolving bilateral matters and on the international stage. The presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan always lead by example, demonstrating how to find agreements that strike a balance of interests and are mutually beneficial,” he said.
