Kazakhstan has completed a competitive dialogue with potential technology suppliers for the construction of the country's first nuclear power plant (NPP). The press service of the Ministry of Energy reported that the shortlist of potential technology suppliers includes the Russian company Rosatom, the Korean company KHNP, the Chinese CNNC, and the French EDF.
"On January 21, 2025, a Kazakh delegation led by Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev made a working visit to the Russian Federation. This visit marked the final stage of a series of negotiations aimed at evaluating proposals from tender participants," the Ministry of Energy noted.
The ministry reminded that from October to December 2024, such visits took place in the Republic of Korea, the French Republic, and the People's Republic of China.
"A final decision on the selection of a supplier or consortium for the project's implementation has not yet been made. It will be made in 2025, taking into account Kazakhstan's national interests, as well as international norms and obligations," the Ministry of Energy assured.
On October 6, 2024, a referendum was held in Kazakhstan regarding the construction of the NPP. According to the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 63.66% of eligible citizens participated in the referendum. The number of citizens who voted in favor of constructing the nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan amounted to 5,561,937 people, or 71.12%.
Earlier, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev mentioned that the construction of the NPP in Kazakhstan was discussed during bilateral negotiations with Vladimir Putin.
"We paid considerable attention to this issue during the negotiations. Kazakhstan will naturally carry out its projects in the field of nuclear energy and, like any client, has the right to choose the most acceptable technological solutions and financial schemes," he said.
In addition, Kazakhstan is finalizing the analysis of possible locations for the construction of the second and third nuclear power plants.