SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Surveys for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant enter active phase

Field studies to determine the location of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant have begun near the village of Ulken, marking a key stage in a project led by Rosatom.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all the latest energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

For less than €3/week*

*For an annual commitment

*Engagement annuel à seulement 99 € (au lieu de 149 €), offre valable jusqu'au 30/07/2025 minuit.

SUBSCRIBE

Preliminary engineering work has officially started in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan with the launch of surveys aimed at identifying the optimal location for the country’s first nuclear power plant. The event was attended by the Director General of Russian state corporation Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, the Chairman of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy, Almasadam Satkaliyev, and the Akim of the Almaty Region, Marat Sultangaziyev. Teams began by drilling the first exploratory borehole and collecting soil samples.

An 18-month drilling programme
The programme includes drilling at least 50 boreholes, each between 30 and 120 metres deep. These surveys will assess seismic stability, hydrogeological characteristics, and other parameters essential to the safety and reliability of the future facility. According to Asset Makhkambetov, Deputy Chairman of the Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency, the studies will last 18 months and will focus on three potential areas, each undergoing detailed analysis. The final decision on the site location will be made upon completion of this work.

An international consortium for a strategic project
In June, Rosatom was appointed to lead an international consortium to build this high-capacity plant. The Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency had previously shortlisted suppliers including Rosatom with its VVER-1200 reactors, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) with the HPR-1000, Electricité de France (EDF) with the EPR1200, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power with the APR-1000/APR-1400. The government also announced that CNNC will build the country’s second and third planned nuclear power plants.

A country with a strong nuclear tradition
The world’s leading uranium producer, Kazakhstan already operates three research reactors and ran a BN-350 fast reactor near Aktau for 26 years. Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), a subsidiary of the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund, has been designated as the future operator and has conducted preliminary studies since 2014. A national referendum approved the construction plan, with over 70% voting in favour. The government’s target is for nuclear power to account for 5% of the national electricity mix by 2035.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Adapture Renewables launches its first storage projects with 74 MWh in Texas
RWE secures four maintenance vessels to support its offshore wind fleet in Europe
Rubellite Energy Corp. records an 81% increase in cash flow in Q2 2025
Suncor Energy posts net profit of $1.13 bn in the second quarter of 2025
Chinese oil companies strengthen their presence in the Iraqi market
Belectric commissions a 96.7 MW solar power plant in Germany
Belectric, part of the Elevion Group, has inaugurated its largest photovoltaic park in Bavaria, generating around 105 GWh per year, with operations and maintenance to be handled in-house.
Armenia and Azerbaijan Sign TRIPP Corridor Agreement Under American Auspices
The two countries end 37 years of conflict with a 43-kilometer corridor under American control for 99 years. The infrastructure will transport 50 million tons of goods annually by 2030.
Norway inaugurates Johan Castberg, driver of offshore activity and maintenance
The Johan Castberg oil field starts at full capacity, ensuring production and maintenance operations over several decades in the Barents Sea.
IAEA Dispatches Envoy to Tehran to Negotiate New Nuclear Framework
A senior official from the UN agency begins technical discussions with Iran on Monday, the first meeting since June strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Exus Renewables secures key financing for Cibele solar plant in Portugal
Exus Renewables has secured financing for its 130MW Cibele solar plant in Portugal, with MUFG EMEA acting as sole lead arranger and exclusive financial partner.
Canada joins EU and G7 to lower the Russian oil price cap
The Canadian government adopts a new dynamic cap of $47.60 per barrel for Russian oil, aligning its position with that of the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Quercus and Elionia secure €76 mn for three biomethane plants in Italy
Quercus Real Assets and Elionia finalise a €76 mn bank financing to build three biomethane plants in Italy, with 50% of the debt guaranteed by SACE.
Ørsted launches DKK60 bn capital increase with Danish state backing
Ørsted strengthens its financial structure with a rights issue backed by the state, following the failed partial sale of the US Sunrise Wind project.
Santos Extends ADNOC Exclusivity Despite Major Regulatory Hurdles
The Australian gas giant extends due diligence period until August 22 for the Emirati consortium's $18.7 billion offer, while national energy security concerns persist.
AMIGO LNG awards EPC contract to COMSA Marine for marine facilities in Mexico
AMIGO LNG has awarded COMSA Marine the engineering and construction contract for its marine facilities in Guaymas, as part of its 7.8 MTPA liquefied natural gas export terminal.
Canada allocates $1.83 mn to TerraFixing to develop carbon capture
The federal government is funding an Ottawa-based company’s project to design a CO2 capture unit adapted to cold climates and integrated into a shipping container.
Petrus Resources increases quarterly production despite falling prices
Petrus Resources reports a 3% increase in production in the second quarter of 2025, while reducing operating costs and maintaining its annual production and investment forecasts.
Boralex reports a decline in EBITDA in Q2 despite increased production
Boralex saw its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization fall by 13% in the second quarter of 2025, despite a 14% increase in production, due to less favourable prices in France and lower revenues from joint ventures.
D3Energy launches 6 MW floating solar park in Ohio
D3Energy has begun construction on a 6 MW floating solar system in Monroeville, designed to supply the local grid and become the largest floating installation in Ohio.
CES Energy Solutions posts record revenue in Q2 2025
The Canadian supplier of chemical solutions for the oil industry generated CAD574 mn ($419.9 mn) in revenue in the second quarter, up 4% year-on-year, and announced a quarterly dividend.
SBM Offshore commissions FPSO One Guyana, fourth unit operated in the country
FPSO One Guyana begins production as part of the Yellowtail development, with enhanced technical capabilities to optimise reliability and maintenance in deep waters.
Iran-Iraq clandestine oil network generates three billion dollars annually
Baghdad denies any involvement in sophisticated smuggling system mixing Iranian and Iraqi oil. Washington sanctions networks accused of financing designated terrorist organizations.
Mozambique: TotalEnergies Faces Security Dilemma Before LNG Project Restart
Jihadist attacks in Cabo Delgado displaced 59,000 people in July, threatening the restart of the $20 billion gas project planned for August 2025.
OPEC+ to complete in September the full withdrawal of 2.2 million b/d voluntary cuts
The eight OPEC+ members concerned will end next month the cuts introduced in November 2023, while keeping the option to readjust their output depending on market fundamentals and quota compliance.
Infinity Power secures two 80 MW solar concessions in Côte d’Ivoire
Infinity Power and the Ivorian government have signed two concession agreements for photovoltaic plants totalling 80 MW, under the World Bank’s Scaling Solar programme.