Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Power Plant Expected to be Completed by 2035-36

According to the Atomic Energy Agency's press service on Monday, building a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is expected to take about 11 years, with completion projected around 2035-2036.

"Global industry standards indicate nuclear power plants typically require 10-12 years from design to commissioning. Accordingly, we anticipate completing construction in 2035-2036," the agency said, The Caspian Post reports citing Interfax.

"Rosatom confirms alignment with these plans," it said.

The electricity tariff from the future NPP will depend on several factors but will be higher than at existing and coal-fired power plants during the payback period, it said.

"The electricity tariff from the future nuclear plant will directly depend on the final project cost, operational expenses, borrowed capital costs and other financing parameters. Interagency calculations on these aspects are currently ongoing," it said.

"Clearly, the tariff will be higher than for electricity from existing coal-fired CHPs and TPPs during the payback period, as those stations were built decades ago and their capital costs have already been fully amortized," it said.

However, after the payback period, nuclear-generated electricity could become comparable to or even cheaper than electricity from gas and coal-fired power plants.

Nuclear generation isn't subject to fuel market volatility, ensuring long-term price stability. In addition, the plant's designed operational lifespan exceeds 60 years. Final tariff parameters will be announced after completing all calculations and approvals.

In view of the time value of money, market tariffs when the NPP becomes operational will differ from current rates, the agency said.

As reported, Rosatom has been selected as consortium leader for the construction of Kazakhstan's first NPP, with discussions underway about Russian state export financing. Necessary intergovernmental agreements and contracts are planned for November 2025.

In 2024, Kazakh citizens approved the construction via national referendum. While initial plans targeted completion in 2035, the Energy Ministry later said that Kazakhstan would require vendors to commission the first reactor within eight years.