Kazakhstan signed an agreement with Russia on the construction of the first nuclear power plant in the country.
Russia and Kazakhstan signed an intergovernmental agreement for the construction of the first nuclear power plant on the territory of Kazakhstan. The project will be implemented by the Russian company “Rosatom”.
The cooperation agreement was signed during a state visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kazakhstan. The parties also agreed on Moscow providing an export credit to finance the project. According to Reuters, “Rosatom” became the leader of an international consortium for the construction of the nuclear power plant following a tender held last year.
The first plant is planned to be built near Lake Balkhash, using modern generation 3+ VVER-1200 reactors. The plant will have two power units, each with a capacity of 1.2 gigawatts. Main construction work could begin as early as 2027, with the commissioning of the first units planned for the mid-2030s.
Kazakhstan is actively developing nuclear energy, planning to build at least three nuclear power plants by 2050. The second nuclear plant has been entrusted to the Chinese company CNNC. At the same time, “Rosatom” retains the possibility of involving suppliers from China, France, or South Korea, but the main equipment will be manufactured in Russia.
The signing of the agreement takes place against the backdrop of a referendum in which Kazakh citizens supported the idea of building the first nuclear power plant not only in the country but in the entire Central Asia. This strategic decision is part of the general policy of cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan in the field of nuclear energy.
| Country | Executor | Start of Construction | Commissioning | Power Unit Capacity (GW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan (Balkhash) | Rosatom | 2027 | Mid-2030s | 1.2 |
| Kazakhstan (another NPP) | CNNC | – | – | – |
