The Government of Kazakhstan on August 27 decided to hold a referendum on the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant. An exact date for the nationwide referendum has yet to be determined.
The Government session today, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, considered the prospects for the development of nuclear energy in the country.
Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev said: “Holding a referendum will help to make a balanced decision on the development of nuclear energy and ensuring energy security of the country. Today we are standing on the threshold of a historic event. Without a stable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective power supply, we risk being left on the margins of history. We, the people of Kazakhstan, will have to make an important decision for the country. A decision that will determine our future.”
Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized that the issue of nuclear power development in Kazakhstan has been studied for a long time and the prospects for this industry are obvious. The country has mastered almost a full cycle of nuclear fuel production. The experience of using small reactors has been gained, there are specialists and scientists in this direction.
The Prime Minister noted that already today in Kazakhstan there is a deficit of energy capacity. If the solution to the problem is not found now, then for further growth of the economy the country will need to purchase large amounts of electricity.
Amid the global agenda of carbon neutrality, international financial institutions refuse to invest in coal-fired power plants. At the same time, renewable energy sources (RES) cannot serve as a stable source of electricity generation. The potential of hydroelectric power plants in Kazakhstan is limited because there are not many rivers with the necessary conditions.
The development of nuclear energy is the most promising direction for us, the Prime Minister emphasized, adding that modern nuclear power plants are equipped with a multi-level safety system. If a decision is made to build a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, its design, construction and operation will be carried out in accordance with strict international safety standards of the IAEA. With a significant raw material base, Kazakhstan will be independent of uranium price fluctuations, which will ensure stable and predictable electricity tariffs.
In his address to the nation on September 1, 2023, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the economic and political importance of the development of nuclear energy and proposed resolving the issue of building the country’s first nuclear power plant through a nationwide referendum. Late in June 2024, Tokayev announced that the referendum on building a nuclear power plant would be held this fall, adding that the exact date will be set by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Energy Minister Satkaliyev earlier said that the nuclear power plant would be built by a foreign company that wins the tender — after the issue is approved in the referendum. In addition to companies from China, Russia, France, and South Korea, the Ministry of Energy is considering companies from the United States and Japan as potential bidders.
The planned location of the nuclear power plant is the village of Ulken in the Karaganda region.
