During the official visit of Finnish President Alexander Stubb to Kazakhstan, the two countries took a significant step toward enhancing collaboration in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
In Astana, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency and Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia.
The agreement sets the stage for potential uranium supplies from Kazakhstan to Finland and strengthens cooperation in nuclear safety and technology.
According to Almasadam Satkaliev, head of the Kazakh agency, the agreement establishes a legal framework for future deliveries of Kazakh uranium to Finnish nuclear power plants.
“The possibility of supplying Kazakh uranium to Finnish nuclear power plants is currently under discussion,” Satkaliev told reporters. “We’ve made such offers before, and the Finnish side has shown serious interest. This visit is an opportunity to move toward practical negotiations on supply volumes.”
The memorandum also includes provisions for sharing expertise and experience in the nuclear energy sector. Satkaliev praised Finland’s regulatory framework, describing it as a model recognized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“We have agreed to exchange knowledge and jointly review legislation to align our standards with international best practices,” he said.
Kazakhstan, the world’s largest uranium producer, is also advancing its own nuclear power ambitions. The country plans to commission its first nuclear power plant by 2035. In 2024, a nationwide referendum showed over 71% support for nuclear energy development. As a result, the government selected Russia’s Rosatom to construct the first plant near the village of Ulken on the shores of Lake Balkhash.
Two additional nuclear projects are planned in cooperation with China’s state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). Satkaliev said CNNC is currently assessing potential sites in the Almaty and Zhambyl regions.
“A memorandum has been signed to study Chinese participation. Specific decisions will follow once site surveys are complete,” he explained.
Despite its plans to develop domestic nuclear capacity, Kazakhstan remains committed to expanding uranium exports. In 2024, the state-owned company Kazatomprom sold 16,600 tons of uranium, generating a record $3.3 billion in revenue and capturing 21% of global market share.
In the first half of 2025, the company sold 7,625 tons, down 2% from the same period the previous year.
Kazakhstan currently exports uranium to China, Canada, the U.S., Switzerland, France, India, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria. China remains the largest customer, accounting for approximately 60% of total shipments.
In summer 2025, Kazatomprom signed a memorandum with Slovenské elektrárne (SEAS), Slovakia’s largest energy producer, potentially expanding its export geography even further.
