Kazakhstan creates a nuclear energy agency and appoints its president

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has established a new agency to oversee nuclear energy, appointing Almassadam Satkaliyev as its head. This structure aims to enhance the country’s energy security and support its long-term nuclear ambitions.

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On March 18, 2025, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the creation of the Agency for Atomic Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a new entity directly under the president’s authority. The agency’s mission will be to consolidate responsibilities previously assigned to the Ministry of Energy, including the management of atomic energy use, radiological safety, and control of the Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone related to uranium production.

Tokayev appointed Almassadam Satkaliyev, former Minister of Energy, as the president of the new agency. The agency will focus on the development and regulation of the nuclear sector, ensuring the management of atomic resources and implementing safety measures to protect the population.

Strategic objectives of President Tokayev

In his speech at the National Kurultai on March 14, 2025, Tokayev emphasized that the creation of this agency addresses the strategic need to diversify Kazakhstan’s energy sector. The president highlighted the importance of this project for the country’s long-term economic development, especially through the integration of new technologies such as digitisation and artificial intelligence, which he believes will offer significant potential for the Kazakh economy.

He also expressed the need to create a “nuclear cluster,” with the construction of three nuclear power plants to meet domestic energy demand and strengthen Kazakhstan’s position in the global energy market. Tokayev referred to the support of the Kazakh population, expressed during the 2024 referendum, which had approved the construction of a nuclear power plant.

Site selection and technological partners

The Kazakh government has officially designated the Zhambyl district in the Almaty region as the site for the future nuclear power plant. Authorities plan to select a technology supplier for the construction of this plant by the end of 2025. Four companies are currently competing for the project: China National Nuclear Corporation (HPR-1000), EDF (EPR1200), Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (APR-1000/APR-1400), and Rosatom (VVER-1200).

Kazakhstan is also continuing negotiations with international partners, and meetings have recently taken place with representatives from China National Nuclear Corporation, as part of discussions on collaborating for the development of the country’s nuclear sector.

The General Court of the European Union has rejected Austria’s appeal against the inclusion of gas and nuclear energy in the classification of sustainable investments.
Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Nukem Technologies Engineering Services GmbH to benefit from German expertise in nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management.
The European Court of Justice annulled the European Commission's authorisation of Hungarian state aid for the Paks II nuclear project, questioning compliance with EU public procurement rules.
A Chinese consortium has secured a CNY4.2bn ($594mn) contract for the construction of conventional islands for the Xuwei nuclear project, combining third and fourth generation reactors.
Rosatom and China National Nuclear Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in talent development and skills training in the nuclear sector.
Iran has reached a new agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to formalise the resumption of inspections, following months of suspension linked to military tensions and criticism of its nuclear programme.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission outlines a structured plan to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, focusing on industrial heat and series effects to enhance competitiveness.
US-based Nuclearn has secured $10.5mn to scale its artificial intelligence platform, already deployed in over 65 nuclear reactors, to automate critical operations amid rising energy demand.
The steel dome of the CAP1000 Haiyang 4 reactor has been positioned, a major construction milestone paving the way for upcoming maintenance and technical installation phases.
The Groupement des Industriels Français de l'Énergie Nucléaire and the Belgian Nuclear Forum formalise a partnership aimed at strengthening industrial exchanges and joint projects between the two countries’ nuclear sectors.
The International Atomic Energy Agency warns that little time remains to reach an agreement with Iran on fully resuming inspections, as European sanctions could be reimposed within 30 days.
Slovenia’s JEK2 project moves forward with two nuclear technologies judged technically compatible, estimated between EUR9.31bn ($10.1bn) and EUR15.37bn ($16.66bn).
US-based Oklo will build the country’s first privately funded nuclear fuel recycling centre in Oak Ridge, investing $1.7bn and creating over 800 jobs.
The Tennessee Valley Authority partners with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 gigawatts of modular nuclear capacity, in an unprecedented project supporting energy growth across seven U.S. states.
A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency puts Iran’s 60% enriched uranium at 440.9 kg before Israeli and U.S. strikes, while the agency’s access to enrichment sites has remained suspended since the operations.
US-based Westinghouse has signed six industrial agreements in the UK to supply critical components for its AP1000 and AP300 nuclear projects in Britain and abroad.
NANO Nuclear Energy receives direct funding from the US Air Force innovation branch to assess the integration of its KRONOS MMR™ microreactor at the Washington D.C. military base.
EDF extends the operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year after favourable safety inspections, ensuring continuity of nuclear production and safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs.
Russian nuclear group Rosatom has confirmed advanced discussions with India and Turkey to launch new power plants, including advanced and floating reactor technologies.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has identified uranium particles of industrial origin in samples taken from a Syrian site suspected of hosting an undeclared nuclear reactor.

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