Russia has begun work on Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, marking a major step in the Central Asian nation’s bid to boost energy capacity
Russia has begun work on Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, marking a major step in the Central Asian nation’s bid to boost energy capacity. Kazakhstan, the world’s largest uranium producer, struggles to meet domestic electricity demand despite supplying 43% of global uranium and ranking third among EU raw uranium suppliers.
In a joint statement, the nuclear agencies of both countries confirmed the start of “engineering surveys to select the optimal site and prepare project documentation for the construction of a large-capacity nuclear power plant.”
“This project is Kazakhstan’s strategic choice and a driver of long-term economic growth for the region and the country as a whole,” said Almasadam Satkaliev, head of Kazakhstan’s nuclear agency.
The plant will be built near Ulken on Lake Balkhash and is expected to take several years to complete. Rosatom said the reactor will last 60 years, extendable by 20. France and South Korea also vied for the contract, but Kazakhstan chose Russia and China, citing “the best bids.”