Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu has expressed hope that Russia will participate in building the country’s first nuclear power plant (NPP). The statement was made during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to TASS.
“We already have over 170 joint projects with Russian businesses, and the NPP construction is among the most strategic. I hope our respective ministries will move forward with the necessary work,” Nurtleu noted.
The project has strong public support — a referendum held on October 6, 2024, showed 71.12% of Kazakhstani voters are in favor of building a nuclear power plant. Four international companies are currently under consideration to supply technology and lead construction:
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Rosatom (Russia)
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CNNC (China)
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KHNP (South Korea)
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EDF (France)
According to Deputy Minister of Energy Sungat Yessimkhanov, the contractor selection will be completed by June 2025. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has previously confirmed that the NPP will be developed through an international consortium, should the public support it.
The first NPP will be located in the village of Ulken, Almaty region. Preparatory work has already begun, with plans to create an industrial zone, social infrastructure, and to modernize local roads and water supply systems to support NPP operations.
Speaking at the recent National Kurultai, a major national forum, President Tokayev revealed even more ambitious plans:
“Kazakhstan will not stop at one NPP. We are preparing to establish three nuclear power plants, alongside the formation of a dedicated Nuclear Energy Agency.”
The push for nuclear energy comes amid Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to diversify its energy mix, reduce emissions, and strengthen energy security in the region.
