Kazakhstan has officially announced that Russia's nuclear energy giant, Rosatom, will oversee the construction of the nation's first nuclear power plant.
This landmark project, which was greenlit following a national referendum, signals Kazakhstan’s commitment to diversifying its energy sources and marks a significant step in its energy strategy following years of massive energy deficits, which are projected to reach 3.3 billion kWh in 2025.
The nuclear power plant will consist of two reactors and will be built near the village of Ulken, on the western shore of Lake Balkhash, approximately 400 kilometers northwest of Almaty. The plant is expected to have an electricity generation capacity of 2.4 gigawatts by 2035, meeting a significant portion of Kazakhstan’s future energy needs. This project will restore Kazakhstan’s nuclear power generation, which has been absent since the closure of the BN-350 reactor in 1999.
Rosatom’s selection follows a competitive bidding process that also included major international players, China National Nuclear Corporation (China), Électricité de France (France), and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (South Korea). The proposals were assessed based on criteria such as safety, cost, workforce training, nuclear fuel cycle cooperation, and social responsibility initiatives, with Rosatom’s proposal being deemed the most advantageous.
Both President Tokayev and the Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency had previously highlighted the importance of forming an international consortium for the project given Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy. Given current geopolitical events, it remains unclear whether other parties would join a consortium headed by Russia. Efforts are currently underway to secure state export financing from the Russian Federation as part of Rosatom’s proposal.
Kazakhstan is the world’s largest uranium producer but has relied heavily on coal-powered plants for electricity generation, supplemented by hydropower and an increasing shift toward renewables. The coal industry currently provides fuel for approximately 70% of the nation’s electricity generation. The nuclear power pivot in the country’s energy strategy is aimed at reducing Kazakhstan’s dependency on fossil fuels, enhancing energy security, and addressing environmental concerns. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, over the past two decades, air pollution levels in Kazakhstan have remained persistently high despite numerous reform pledges and reductions in specific emissions.
Economically, the plant is expected to improve Kazakhstan’s electricity supply reliability, support industrial growth, and create jobs in technology development, construction, and power plant operations. Speaking in January, former Minister of Energy Almasadam Satkaliyev stated that “By 2030, the NPP construction project will create around 5,000 jobs, peaking at approximately 10,000 jobs in 2032. Once operational, the first plant will provide at least 2,000 permanent positions.” The project also includes plans for the localization of equipment and workforce training, ensuring long-term capacity building.
Kazakhstan’s selection of Rosatom as the lead in its first nuclear power project reflects a strategic blend of technological ambition, international collaboration, and energy diversification. “Rosatom has been actively involved in Kazakhstan’s nuclear sector for years, including uranium mining and nuclear fuel cycle activities,” James Walker, CEO and Head of Reactor Development at NANO Nuclear Energy told The Times of Central Asia, emphasizing Rosatom’s “established presence [and] Russia’s geopolitical influence in Central Asia.”
The decision over who to partner with had been seen as a bone of contention in Kazakh political circles, with financial officials and economic policymakers reportedly leaning toward the China National Nuclear Corporation. Meanwhile, scientists, engineers, nuclear professionals, and technicians - who prioritize reliability and operational familiarity - were said to be lobbying for Rosatom, given Russia’s historical involvement in Kazakhstan’s nuclear sector.
In related news, Rosatom’s plans to build a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan have been updated following talks between Russia’s Minister of Economic Development, Maxim Reshetnikov, and the Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov. “Last year, construction of a low-power nuclear power plant began, and [now] the leaders of the countries [have] reached an agreement to reformat the project and build a two-unit high-power plant and a two-unit low-power plant,” the Russian Ministry reported.
