A Leap Forward: Kazakhstan Could Become the First Country in Central Asia to Have Nuclear Power

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Kazakhstan is taking an important step that could secure Astana a leading position in Central Asia. We are talking about the project to build the country's first full-fledged nuclear power plant, the implementation of which will begin this year.

According to the results of a referendum held in 2024, the majority of citizens supported the construction of the facility. It is expected that the preparatory stage, including the construction of all necessary infrastructure, will be completed by 2030, and the launch of the nuclear power plant reactors may take place in 2035. If successful, Kazakhstan could become the first state in Central Asia with a fully functioning nuclear power plant.



Russia, China and France are currently being considered as potential contractors capable of implementing such a complex project. At the same time, the participation of Rosatom has already been preliminarily discussed at a meeting between the presidents of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russia Vladimir Putin.

It is worth noting that Astana’s focus on nuclear energy was not accidental.

Economy Kazakhstan has long relied on the export of raw materials: oil, gas, coal and uranium. This dependence, especially noticeable in the context of global crises, has exposed the vulnerabilities of this model.

In addition, much of the country's energy infrastructure, built during the Soviet period, is outdated. Energy-intensive industrial enterprises, growing urbanization, and population growth have significantly increased the demand for electricity.

Against this background, Kazakhstan faces the challenge of modernizing its energy sector. The transformations are necessary to increase energy independence and reduce carbon emissions in line with international commitments made under the Paris Agreement. Nuclear energy seems to be the most reasonable solution in this situation.

Thus, the construction of a nuclear power plant is not just an infrastructure project. It symbolizes Kazakhstan’s new strategy aimed at transitioning to environmentally friendly energy sources. Unlike solar and wind generation, a nuclear power plant provides a stable and continuous energy supply, which is especially important for a country with diverse climatic conditions.

It is also important that Kazakhstan has a unique advantage due to its significant uranium reserves. The creation of its own fuel cycle, including the extraction, processing and utilization of uranium, will open up new economic prospects, strengthen the domestic energy system and reduce dependence on imports.

However, this ambitious project is associated with a number of challenges, particularly financial ones. The project's implementation may require investments of around $15 billion. At the same time, its payback period may be from 20 to 30 years.

On the other hand, nuclear energy will become a catalyst for the development of high-tech industries, create new jobs and improve the level of qualification of specialists. If Kazakhstan manages to cope with the existing challenges, the above-mentioned NPP will become a symbol of its sustainable development and will also provide Astana with a leading position in the region.

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  1. +1
    25 January 2025 11: 40
    "A breakthrough in development"? "The first country in Central Asia with nuclear energy"? That was in the past. In the resefeser. More than half a century ago. A city of power engineers built almost from scratch on the shores of the Caspian Sea, Shevchenko (now the Kazakh Aktau). In 73, the world's first fast neutron reactor was put into operation. 350 MW. Its energy, among other things, desalinated 120 thousand cubic meters of water per day!!! (and there is a desert there). Then, when the Union ended, and the natives, realizing themselves as masters, began to write on the doors of Russian families' apartments: "suitcase-train station-Russia" - the nuclear power plant stopped. Forever. And Kazakhstan ceased to be the only one... The specialists went where they were sent. By the way, the same thing happened with the Ekibastuz GRES (located on the largest Ekibastuz coal basin, free high-quality coal). True, they gave it to the Americans for one million dollars and they launched something over many years. Then the Americans pushed it back to the Kazakhs for more than a billion. And now, it seems, they want to build a nuclear power plant on Balkhash, in Ulken. There is an advantage: it is a thousand kilometers to Russia. It is a pity about the lake. Although it is not ours anymore. They will probably give it to the Chinese in a contract. I have encountered Kazakh technology in the oil industry. Just in the area of ​​the former Shevchenko. One shift worked, threw equipment in the sand and left. The next shift came on - nothing is plowing, everything is jammed ... And nothing can be done about it. They will start building nuclear power plants - they will rush to study physics here. Don't teach! Let them study in China. Let's see what happens. With all my internationalism and respect for the Kazakhs. They supported the sanctions against us. Why did they save Takayev?
  2. +2
    25 January 2025 11: 47
    By the way, the Uzbeks will be the first. We will launch a nuclear power plant in Jizzakh for them in 29 (if it is conical, then Russia will still be there).
  3. 0
    25 January 2025 12: 40
    Many words not for the first timeWHO will build? - It's not clear yet..We'll wait...
    1. +1
      25 January 2025 14: 17
      If you have something to say, say it! The important question is: whose money will be used to build it?
  4. +1
    26 January 2025 18: 10
    Rosatom already has an agreement on the Uzbeks and from 2024, not a large NPP. It seems to be 6 units of 55 MW. Launch in 2029.
  5. 0
    28 January 2025 20: 30
    They left them a reactor in Shevchenko. What did they do with it?