Kazakhstan has chosen China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to lead the consortium that will build the country’s second nuclear power plant, according to Almasadam Satkaliyev, head of the Atomic Energy Agency. The two sides plan to sign a general cooperation agreement on nuclear energy.
Satkaliyev emphasized that China has full technological capabilities and industrial infrastructure to handle the entire nuclear cycle independently, making CNNC a top priority partner. He also highlighted CNNC’s ability to deliver “fast and high-quality” results.
Previously, Kazakhstan selected Russia’s Rosatom as the lead for its first nuclear power project. Other shortlisted contenders included France’s Électricité de France (EDF) and South Korea’s Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). Satkaliyev described the Russian and Chinese proposals as “objectively the strongest.”
The country’s nuclear ambitions have been progressing since 2021. In 2023, a national referendum showed strong public support for building a nuclear plant, with over 70% voting in favor. According to an official decree, the second nuclear plant will be built in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region.
The project will be handled by an international consortium of no more than five countries, with political risk assessments taken into account. The government expects the technical feasibility study to take one year and the design and planning stage another 18 months.
