SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Kazakhstan launches its nuclear project

Kazakhstan, the world's leading uranium producer, is speeding up its transition to nuclear power. Public consultations have been held ahead of the referendum that will determine the future of the country's first nuclear power plant.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

Kazakhstan, a major player on the world uranium market, is preparing to introduce nuclear power into its energy mix.
This project, at the heart of the country’s strategy, aims to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen its energy security. The siting of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant is currently the subject of public discussion, a prerequisite for the referendum scheduled for autumn.
The government, aware of the strategic stakes involved, has chosen to build on existing nuclear experience.
Kazakhstan has already operated a sodium-cooled fast reactor for several decades, and national teams are currently involved in building nuclear power plants in Turkey and Russia.
This expertise is a key asset for the country.

Technological and economic challenges

The public consultations, which took place in every region of the country, addressed issues crucial to the future of the project.
Technological security, socio-economic repercussions and the guarantee of a stable energy supply were at the heart of the debates.
The Ulken site, on the shores of Lake Balkhash, was identified as the most suitable location for the power plant.
At the same time, Kazakhstan is also exploring the possibility of introducing small modular reactors (SMRs) to modernize its aging energy infrastructure, particularly coal-fired plants.
This project is part of a broader vision to diversify the country’s energy sources, while strengthening its resilience to fluctuations in the fossil fuel market.

Nuclear Program Outlook

If approved by referendum, Kazakhstan’s nuclear power program is set to account for 5% of the country’s electricity production by 2035.
This nuclear development aims not only to diversify the country’s energy supply, but also to meet the growing demand for electricity while reducing the share of fossil fuels.
Implementing this project will require a sustained commitment, both technologically and financially.
Kazakhstan is looking to the future, drawing on its in-house expertise and international partnerships to build a reliable and sustainable nuclear infrastructure.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Equinor injects up to $939mn to support Ørsted’s capital increase
Ameren Missouri invests in 250 MW solar plant near Callaway nuclear site
Paris and Berlin agree on an energy roadmap including nuclear power
Norway launches assessment process for two nuclear projects
Frontier completes the deepest carbon storage well in the United States
TVA and ENTRA1 seal historic agreement for 6 GW of SMR reactors in the United States
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.
IAEA: Iran held 440.9 kg at 60% before Israeli strikes
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.
Westinghouse strengthens UK supply chain for nuclear reactors
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 secures $1.25mn contract for KRONOS MMR microreactor
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 two nuclear reactors in the United Kingdom until March 2028
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.
Rosatom prepares new nuclear projects in India and Turkey
Russian nuclear group Rosatom has confirmed advanced discussions with India and Turkey to launch new power plants, including advanced and floating reactor technologies.
Uranium traces detected in Syria at site linked to former Israeli airstrike
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.
India accelerates its nuclear program to join the global top 5
With eleven reactors under construction and major projects such as Jaitapur, India is preparing a nuclear build-up that could place it among the world’s five leading nations in the sector.
Putin and Pezeshkian to discuss Iranian nuclear program under European pressure
Russia and Iran seek to strengthen their nuclear cooperation as the E3 activates the sanctions mechanism against Tehran, reigniting tensions over compliance with the 2015 Vienna agreement.
Natura Resources secures federal and Texas backing for molten salt reactor
US-based Natura Resources has secured strategic funding and key permits for its MSR-1 nuclear reactor, backed by public funds and enriched fuel allocation from the Department of Energy.
Seoul and Washington open talks on nuclear fuel reprocessing
The United States and South Korea have agreed to initiate discussions on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, marking a potential strategic shift in the long-standing bilateral agreement.
AP1000 reactor certification extended in the US until 2046
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted a 40-year extension for the AP1000 reactor design certification, supporting its long-term construction domestically and deployment abroad.
Nano Nuclear partners with Dioxitek to strengthen Argentina’s nuclear supply chain
Nano Nuclear Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dioxitek, Argentina’s only uranium supplier for nuclear fuel, to assess the development of local conversion and enrichment capacities.
Sweden lifts uranium mining ban to revive nuclear industry
Stockholm plans to restart uranium extraction by lifting the 2018 ban, aiming to secure strategic supply chains and support domestic nuclear electricity production.
CEA considers deploying a small Calogena nuclear reactor in Cadarache
The French Atomic Energy Commission has signed a letter of intent with start-up Calogena to study the installation of a 30 MW thermal small nuclear reactor at its Cadarache site.
Guidehouse forecasts $8.1 billion revenues for modular reactors by 2034
A Guidehouse Research report anticipates strong growth in the global nuclear modular reactor market, with revenues rising from $375.8 million in 2025 to $8.1 billion in 2034.
Several South Korean groups back $50bn nuclear projects in the United States
KHNP, Doosan, POSCO and Samsung C&T join US partners to develop 5 GW of modular reactors, expand uranium enrichment and build an 11 GW energy complex in Texas.
Washington activates Defense Production Act to secure enriched uranium
The US Department of Energy is creating an industrial consortium to accelerate domestic enriched uranium production and reduce reliance on foreign imports ahead of the Russian supply ban in 2027.
One of the drones from last weekend’s Ukrainian attack struck the Kursk nuclear power plant
The kamikaze drone damaged an auxiliary transformer at the Kursk plant, halving the output of its only reactor in operation, according to Rosatom and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
EDF restarts Gravelines reactors after shutdown caused by jellyfish
The four production units at the Gravelines nuclear power plant, shut down in mid-August by a massive jellyfish incursion, are back online, restoring the site’s full capacity.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.