Kazakhstan's First Nuclear Power Plant Starts Construction, Project Model Makes Its Debut; Second China-Built Nuclear Power Plant to Determine Location in Autumn
Kazakhstan International News Agency - The construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant project was officially launched in Ulyken village, Zhenis district, Almaty region. The Ulyken village nuclear power plant project marks an important milestone in Kazakhstan's energy transition. It is expected to be operational by 2035, providing 2.4 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity for the country, helping to reduce reliance on coal and promote the development of green energy.
According to the Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency, the construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant project was officially launched on August 8, 2025, in Ulyken village, Zhenis district, Almaty region. At the ceremony, the model of the nuclear power plant was publicly unveiled for the first time, and progress in the preparation work for the project was showcased.
The launch ceremony was marked by the pressing of a button symbolizing the start of the project by the head of the Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency, Alemas Adam Satykhaliyev, the CEO of Rosatom, Alexei Likhachev, the governor of Almaty region, Marat Sultangaziyev, and the chairman of the Zhenis district public committee, Bagdat Alyev.
The head of the Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency, Alemas Adam Satykhaliyev, announced at the ceremony that the total budget for the nuclear power plant construction is approximately 14 to 15 billion US dollars. In addition, about 1 billion US dollars will be invested in building social facilities and modern infrastructure in Ulyken village to support regional development.
Satykhaliyev said that the current engineering survey is a key phase of the project, aimed at determining the most suitable site for the nuclear power plant and providing necessary engineering and geological data for subsequent design work.
"This phase is crucial for the safety and reliability of the project, as it will lay the foundation for the final site selection and design decision through a comprehensive assessment of geological, seismic, and climatic factors," he said.
Satykhaliyev emphasized in his speech:
"Today marks the first step towards the development of high-tech sectors in Kazakhstan's economy. This nuclear power plant will not only promote the construction of modern infrastructure but also bring social facilities such as schools and kindergartens to the region, becoming a driving force for long-term economic growth in the region and the country."
Rosatom's CEO, Alexei Likhachev, stated:
"The start of the engineering survey for the Ulyken village project is an important beginning for the construction of Kazakhstan's first large-scale nuclear power plant in modern history. We will spare no effort to use our rich experience to ensure the successful implementation of this strategic project."
He pointed out that the nuclear power plant will use the third-generation VVER-1200 pressurized water reactor technology, which meets the strictest international safety standards and has been successfully applied in Russia, Belarus, Turkey, Bangladesh, Egypt, and China. The reactor design life is 60 years, which can be extended to 80 years.
Elnur Berdikulov, general manager of Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plant Limited, said when answering a journalist's question that the 14 to 15 billion US dollar budget is a preliminary estimate used for negotiations with Russia regarding government export credits and related terms. The final budget will be affected by various factors, including the results of the survey, specific geological and environmental conditions of the site, selection of equipment suppliers, and participation of international partners. He added that the project plans to use government export credits as the main source of funding and will form an international consortium involving leading international companies.
At the ceremony, Rosatom's engineering team had already started drilling the first survey wells and collecting soil samples. These surveys will assess the seismic stability of the site, hydrogeological characteristics, and other key parameters. At least 50 survey wells with depths ranging from 30 to 120 meters are expected to be drilled. The survey results will provide the basis for the final site selection of the nuclear power plant, ensuring that the project complies with international and national standards, minimizing ecological and technical risks, and laying the foundation for efficient design.
Notably, in June 2025, Rosatom was determined to be the lead member of the international consortium for the construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant. Deputy Prime Minister Roman Skaliar stated that the project will be implemented under the framework of a government-to-government agreement, and Kazakhstan is confident in advancing the project through export financing.
Additionally, the second nuclear power plant will be mainly constructed by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), with the location expected to be determined this autumn. Skaliar also revealed that the third nuclear power plant may also be built by CNNC, and suitable construction sites are currently being evaluated.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1839893136517323/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.