Kazakhstan Discusses Nuclear Energy Development
Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov recently chaired a meeting to discuss the country's nuclear energy development plans. The meeting focused on implementing President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's instructions regarding energy sector advancement and the creation of a nuclear cluster.
A key topic of discussion was the projected electricity balance for 2025-2031, taking into account the President’s objective of proactively developing the electricity infrastructure and establishing necessary reserves. The forecast highlighted the need for new generating capacity of 26.5 GW by 2035 to meet the continuously growing electricity demand. This expansion is expected to be achieved partly through modernization of existing power plants using private investments.
Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev provided an update on the ongoing negotiations with potential vendors for the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.
Prime Minister Bektenov stressed the importance of maximizing the economic benefits for Kazakhstan during the construction of the nuclear power plant. He instructed officials to prioritize increasing domestic value, localizing production, and ensuring technology transfer when selecting a vendor.
The meeting also explored the prospects for developing nuclear science and educational programs to train specialists for the nuclear industry. Experts, including the heads of “Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants” LLP, the National Nuclear Center, and the Institute of Nuclear Physics, shared their insights on these issues.
