Kazakhstan launches construction of its first nuclear power plant

Tengrinews.kz – The project for the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant (NPP) was officially launched, with a capsule-laying ceremony held in the Almaty region.
During the ceremony, Almasadam Satkaliyev, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency, delivered a speech.
He emphasized that "the implementation of the project will allow Kazakhstan to form a new generation of highly qualified specialists, strengthen its research base, and create conditions for educational and technological breakthroughs."

"The NPP will become a strategic project and a key driver of nuclear industry development, regional infrastructure, industrial and innovative progress, and long-term economic growth," said Satkaliyev.

According to him, the total investment in the project is estimated at around 14–15 billion US dollars, with an additional 1 billion dollars allocated to social projects.
Photo by the Atomic Energy Agency
Satkaliyev also noted that the NPP construction project is being carried out with broad public support.

"More than 70 percent of the country's population supported this initiative last year in a national referendum. The example of the village of Ulken is especially telling: 97 percent of residents participated, and about 90 percent of them voted in favor — giving the project a strong public mandate," said the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency.

Also speaking at the ceremony was Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the Russian state corporation Rosatom.

"We have arrived on-site and launched the practical phase of this inspiring project — the creation of a powerful, modern nuclear power plant in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan has vast experience in the nuclear field and is rightfully part of the global nuclear elite — not only because around 40 percent of the world’s uranium is mined here. Since the late 1940s, our nations have cooperated in nuclear science and technology. The first industrial reactor was created right here in Kazakhstan," emphasized the head of Rosatom.

Photo Tengrinews.kz©
It was noted that drilling rigs will collect the first soil samples. A capsule containing the samples will be handed over to the Russian side for further research.
The ceremony was attended by officials, Kazakh and Russian media, as well as residents of the village of Ulken, near which the construction of the NPP will begin.

Photo Tengrinews.kz©
As a reminder, journalists were shown a model of a similar nuclear power plant before the event.

Photo Tengrinews.kz©
Earlier, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency Almasadam Satkaliyev stated that the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant may take around seven years.