Why Kazakhstan is returning to the idea of building a Russian nuclear power plant
Russia and Kazakhstan are returning to the idea of building a nuclear power plant. In 2018, a similar decision was made in Uzbekistan. The new president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Zhomart Tokaeva, made his first state visit to Russia, during which he met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
The parties confirmed the importance of cooperation in the field of trade, as well as cooperation in matters of peaceful atom. Putin proposed starting construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan by technology Russia.
However, such a question was discussed earlier. In 2014, Kazakhstan planned to build two power plants at once. During the construction of one of them, it was supposed to use the forces of Rosatom, and during the construction of the other, it was planned to cooperate with the Toshiba company. But then the projects were curtailed - power engineers said that Kazakhstan does not experience problems with a lack of electricity.
It is possible that the issue became relevant again for Kazakhstan due to the decision of Uzbekistan, which signed an agreement with Rosatom on the construction of a nuclear power plant. The Uzbek authorities planned to supply surplus electricity, including to Kazakhstan - although in general there is enough electricity there, but some regions are experiencing a shortage of it.
Kazakhstan, having studied the advantages that Uzbekistan will receive, decided to return to this idea. However, there are critics among the opposition in the country. They argue that this project is an instrument of Russia's “soft power”, that it entails environmental risks, and indeed it is a meaningless undertaking.
In fact, the country is really starting a shortage of electricity, which can lead to a decline in production and negative consequences for economics.
Kazakhstan has rich reserves of uranium, which makes the idea of building a nuclear power plant even more reasonable. Regarding the safety of the project, it should be noted that Russia is building power plants using the latest technologies. Moscow is also interested in promoting its high-tech products worldwide, and especially at its doorstep.
The parties confirmed the importance of cooperation in the field of trade, as well as cooperation in matters of peaceful atom. Putin proposed starting construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan by technology Russia.
However, such a question was discussed earlier. In 2014, Kazakhstan planned to build two power plants at once. During the construction of one of them, it was supposed to use the forces of Rosatom, and during the construction of the other, it was planned to cooperate with the Toshiba company. But then the projects were curtailed - power engineers said that Kazakhstan does not experience problems with a lack of electricity.
It is possible that the issue became relevant again for Kazakhstan due to the decision of Uzbekistan, which signed an agreement with Rosatom on the construction of a nuclear power plant. The Uzbek authorities planned to supply surplus electricity, including to Kazakhstan - although in general there is enough electricity there, but some regions are experiencing a shortage of it.
Kazakhstan, having studied the advantages that Uzbekistan will receive, decided to return to this idea. However, there are critics among the opposition in the country. They argue that this project is an instrument of Russia's “soft power”, that it entails environmental risks, and indeed it is a meaningless undertaking.
In fact, the country is really starting a shortage of electricity, which can lead to a decline in production and negative consequences for economics.
Kazakhstan has rich reserves of uranium, which makes the idea of building a nuclear power plant even more reasonable. Regarding the safety of the project, it should be noted that Russia is building power plants using the latest technologies. Moscow is also interested in promoting its high-tech products worldwide, and especially at its doorstep.
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