The construction plan for three nuclear power plants in Kazakhstan will be prepared by the second quarter of 2025. This was announced today during a briefing at the Ministry of Energy by Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev, as reported by a correspondent from the business information center Kapital.kz.
"We received the directive based on a high level of readiness and the president's instructions to expedite the development of this document. I believe we will submit it in the second quarter," he noted.
The minister emphasized that to establish a nuclear cluster, Kazakhstan needs to build at least three nuclear power plants.
"We will likely base our strategic plan on the Ministry of Energy's preparation, but it also needs government approval – if it is necessary to construct a minimum of three nuclear power plants. This will be determined based on the overall plan for the placement of nuclear power plants. In other words, we cannot first plan one nuclear power plant and then a second, because we need to understand the configuration of the networks, the power output scheme, interconnections between countries, and more from the outset. This comprehensive document will be prepared soon. Yes, you are correct; we see the potential for constructing a third nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan for the full development of the nuclear cluster," Almasadam Satkaliyev clarified.
Recall that on Wednesday, January 28, 2025, during an extended government meeting with the participation of the head of state Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reported that the government is completing the analysis of potential sites for the construction of the second and third nuclear power plants.
In the near future, agreements are expected to be signed for the construction of the first nuclear power plant in the Almaty region.
Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev, in turn, shared where the second nuclear power plant might be built in Kazakhstan.
"Kurchatov is being considered as a promising site. Overall, regarding the locations – the commission will make the appropriate decision. We will conduct an analysis," said Almasadam Satkaliyev after the extended government meeting.