The assessment, conducted by the Atomic Energy Agency, Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP, and French firm Assystem, reviewed technical and commercial proposals. These included construction costs, project timelines, financing options, equipment localization, workforce training, nuclear fuel cycle integration, and social responsibilities. Rosatom’s proposal was deemed the most effective, followed by CNNC in second place, with EDF and KHNP third. Negotiations are now progressing on export funding from Russia to support the project.
Alexei Likhachev, Rosatom’s Director General, stated: “We welcome Kazakhstan’s decision to begin implementing the nuclear power plant construction project. VVER-1200 generation 3+ reactors combine time-tested engineering solutions with the latest active and passive protection systems developed in strict compliance with international safety standards. VVER-1200 reactors are already operating in Russia and abroad—four units in Russia and two units in Belarus and this technology has also been chosen by our partners in Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh, and China.”
Kazakhstan is also pursuing collaboration with China for a second nuclear power plant. Agency chairman Almasadam Satkaliyev noted: “It is planned to sign a separate agreement with the People’s Republic of China on cooperation in the nuclear sector. We want to use Chinese technologies to build another nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. We have agreements at the highest level. We are interested in adopting Chinese experience, we understand well that they can carry out construction quickly and qualitatively.”
As the world’s leading uranium producer, Kazakhstan aims to diversify its energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. The preferred site for the first plant is the Zhambyl district in the Almaty region. A recent referendum saw over 70% of 7.8 million voters support nuclear power development. The government targets a 5% nuclear contribution to the national energy mix by 2035, with plans to explore small modular reactors to replace aging coal facilities.
