Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev told a briefing that further promising locations for the construction of nuclear power plants had been identified. “The government has identified promising construction sites. We proceed from the need to develop regions, meet the demand for electricity, as well as on the basis of the need to diversify the development of the national power network to ensure an appropriate level of reliability,” he said. “The Balkhash site is very promising, [it could host] up to four blocks with a capacity of 1200 MWe. At the Kurchatov site, it is possible to build two 1200 MWe units.”
He added that the Mangystau Atomic Energy Complex (MAEK – Mangistauskovo Atomnovo Energeticheskovo Kombinata) is also suitable for the construction of nuclear power plants. The site previously hosted a BN-350 fast neutron reactor , now undergoing decommissioning.
In general, he said, it is planned to create a nuclear cluster that will include the entire fuel cycle from uranium production, fuel manufacture and the construction of NPPs.
“We plan in the medium term the construction of at least three nuclear power plants in Kazakhstan. While the main site is the Ulken rural district (for the first station). There, hearings have been held, but the final site will be determined after engineering research already underway. If there is a proposal for the use of another site from potential vendors, we will, of course, consider it. But the final decision will be made after the completion of engineering surveys on this site.”
In February, the Energy Ministry said Kazakhstan’s Interdepartmental Commission for the Development of the Nuclear Industry reviewed proposals from potential suppliers of Kazakhstan’s first NPP. As part of an open, competitive selection process, proposals from China National Nuclear Corporation (HPR-1000), Rosatom (VVER-1200), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (APR-1000, APR-1400), and EDF (EPR1200), are being assessed.
According to a government decree signed by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Kazakhstan has now formally designated Ulken village in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty Region as the site for the first NPP.
