Kazakhstan Identifies Potential Sites for Second and Third Nuclear Power Plants

Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry has identified the regions of Balkhash, Kurchatov, and Mangistau as potential locations for the country’s second and third nuclear power plants, according to Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev.

The first plant is set to be built in Almaty region, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia.

New Construction Sites

Initially, Kazakhstan planned to build a single nuclear power plant by 2035 to address potential energy shortages. However, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev later instructed the government to explore the construction of at least two additional plants.

Following an Energy Ministry board meeting on Wednesday, Satkaliyev told reporters that three locations are under consideration for the second and third nuclear plants:

• Balkhash - a city in southeastern Kazakhstan.
• Kurchatov - a city in the Abai region that previously served the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site during the Soviet era.
• Aktau - the regional center of Mangistau, where an experimental nuclear reactor operated during the Soviet era.

“We plan to build at least three nuclear power plants in Kazakhstan in the medium term. The government has identified promising sites for the second and third plants based on regional development needs, electricity demand, and diversification of the national power grid. The Balkhash site is highly promising, with the capacity for up to four 1,200 MW units. Kurchatov is suitable for two 1,200 MW units. The Mangistau site also offers significant advantages, including the potential for a medium-capacity plant,” Satkaliyev stated.

Timeline and Contractors for the First Plant

The government has approved the Zhambyl district of Almaty region, near the village of Ulken, as the site for the first nuclear power plant. However, the final decision will depend on engineering surveys in the region.

Four companies are in contention to construct Kazakhstan’s first nuclear plant:

• Rosatom (Russia)
• KHNP (South Korea)
• CNNC (China)
• EDF (France)

“In the first half of 2025, we plan to announce the configuration for the first nuclear power plant,” Satkaliyev said.

The Energy Ministry has sent a list of 207 questions covering 19 key aspects of construction and operation to all four bidders. Responses were received last week and are now under review by an interdepartmental commission.

“It is too early to determine a frontrunner. The final decision on the contractor will be made after a thorough review, possibly even earlier than expected,” Satkaliyev noted.

A referendum held on October 6, 2024, showed that 71.12% of voters approved the construction of a nuclear power plant in Almaty region.