In Kazakhstan, long-term plans for the development of the nuclear industry will be developed. This was stated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during an extended government meeting, as reported by a correspondent from the business information center Kapital.kz.
He emphasized that the government is tasked with achieving complete energy self-sufficiency for Kazakhstan, as well as creating reserves at the level of 15-20%.
“Therefore, in the next two years, it is necessary to introduce at least 3 gigawatts of new capacity. This benchmark is almost 2.5 times higher than the figures of previous years. Our strategic course towards achieving carbon neutrality remains unchanged. However, its implementation should be approached more rationally. We need to effectively utilize our natural resources and inherent advantages,” said the head of state.
He added that innovative coal stations should replace thermal power plants built with outdated technologies. In China and South Korea, next-generation coal stations with minimal emissions are successfully operated. According to the president, “the coal power plant in Balkhash was never built, resulting in the country missing out on a powerful source of electricity.”
“Against the backdrop of a growing energy deficit, we must accelerate the construction of the first nuclear power plant and, in general, begin creating a nuclear cluster in the country. This is an important task for ensuring the progress of our country. I instruct the government, together with 'Samruk-Kazyna,' to develop long-term plans for the development of the nuclear industry. We need a concrete vision. Based on a comprehensive analysis, we should identify the most suitable locations for the construction of future nuclear power plants, as well as modern and safe technologies,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The government and parliament must propose locations for the construction of the second nuclear power plant.
“I reiterate: our country needs nuclear energy; without it, the progressive development of Kazakhstan will be in question. Energy is the driving force of the entire economy. Certainly, only by ensuring energy for all regions can we lead them to prosperity and improve the living standards of the population,” said the head of state.
He instructed the government to complete the integration of the electricity grids of the Western zone with the Unified Energy System of the country by 2027 and to expedite the implementation of the project to strengthen the electricity networks of the Southern zone.
“To eliminate the energy deficit in the southern regions, large projects in the field of 'green' energy and gas turbine installations have been launched. Therefore, it is necessary to complete the first phase of the construction of the second branch of the 'Beyneu-Bozoy-Shymkent' gas pipeline by 2026,” noted Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He added that last year, 107 settlements with a total population of 300,000 people were connected to gas networks in nine regions. Cooperation with Chevron has begun to explore new gas fields and conduct geological exploration in the Zhalibek area of the Aktobe region.
“Work on the construction of gas processing plants in Zhanaozen and Kashagan, as well as a gas turbine power plant in the Turkestan region, is unsatisfactory. These projects need to be completed within the established deadlines,” he instructed.