China and Kazakhstan Engage in Discussions Regarding the Construction of a Nuclear Power Plant
Kazakhstan Moves Forward with Plans for Third Nuclear Power Plant
The Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency is actively seeking potential suppliers for the construction of the third nuclear power plant, with China's CNNC (China National Nuclear Corporation) already confirmed as the contractor for the second plant.
China's CNNC has been awarded the contract for the second plant, while Russia’s Rosatom was selected to construct the first plant near Ulken, by Lake Balkhash. The first plant's estimated cost is $14 billion.
Countries in contention for the third plant include China, Russia, South Korea, and France. Initially, South Korea’s KHNP and France’s EDF were shortlisted, but they are not currently leading the third project.
The key considerations for the location of these plants include access to water resources, proximity to existing electricity infrastructure, and potential sites for the second plant such as Kurchatov and Aktau. The exact locations for the third plant are still under evaluation, with announcements expected later in 2025.
The push for multiple nuclear plants in Kazakhstan is a strategy to diversify energy sources, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and lower CO2 emissions following a 2024 referendum that supported nuclear energy development.
Negotiations with potential suppliers for the first nuclear power plant have been described as 'open and constructive', with Kazakh officials having visited the facilities of global reactor manufacturers. The consortium for the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is led by Russia's Rosatom.
The discussions for the third nuclear power plant also involve the construction, development, and operation of high-power nuclear reactors and small modular reactors. The first nuclear power plant requires proximity to a permanent water source and a clearly defined power distribution area, located in the village of Ulken near Lake Balkhash in the Zhambyl Region.
As of July 31, the negotiations for the third nuclear power plant are taking place, with the Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency responsible for overseeing the construction and operation of nuclear power plants in Kazakhstan. The agency is currently working on sites for proposed nuclear power plants.
The ongoing negotiations for the third nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan involve multiple countries, such as China, Russia, South Korea, and France, each offering their advanced technology in the field of nuclear energy. This move, part of Kazakhstan's broader politics, aims to diversify energy sources, lower CO2 emissions, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, as per the 2024 referendum's support for nuclear energy development.
