The first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan has officially started construction, with the Russian side responsible for the project, expected to be operational by 2035.

The first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, built by Russia, has started construction

According to the Kazakh International News Agency, the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan was officially launched in Ulyken village, Jambyl district, Almaty region. The Ulyken nuclear power plant project marks an important milestone in Kazakhstan's energy transition and is expected to be operational by 2035.

The report stated that the official launch was marked by pressing a button symbolizing the start of the project by the head of the Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency, Alem Asatuly Satykhayev, the president of Rosatom, Alexei Likhachev, the governor of Almaty region, Marat Sultangaziev, and the chairman of the Public Council of Jambyl district, Bagdat Alyev.

The head of the Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency, Alem Asatuly Satykhayev, announced at the ceremony that the total budget for the construction of the nuclear power plant is approximately 14 to 15 billion US dollars. In addition, about 1 billion US dollars will be invested in the Ulyken village to build social facilities and modern infrastructure to support regional development.

Satykhayev said that the engineering survey initiated today 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.

Rosatom President Alexei Likhachev said: 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, extendable to 80 years.

In June 2025, Rosatom was confirmed as the leading party of the international consortium for the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.

Additionally, the second nuclear power plant will be mainly constructed by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), with the location expected to be determined this autumn. It was 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/1839897375450124/

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