Kazakhstan aims to start building the Balkhash nuclear plant in 2027 and to set up a strategic uranium reserve

The chairman of Kazakhstan's Atomic Energy Agency, Almasadam Satkaliyev, told an extended meeting of the Kurultai (parliament) committee on economic policy, industry and energy that “construction work at the Balkhash nuclear power plant site is planned to begin in 2027”, Kursiv and Tengrinews reported on 2 November. Engineering surveys at the site are nearly complete, and the EPC contract with a company in the Rosatom structure was signed in September.

What was decided. The government approved the draft National Action Plan to implement the President's address to the nation, presented by Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin, Inbusiness.kz reported on 3 November. The document provides for the creation, by the end of 2027, of a state strategic uranium reserve for the country's own nuclear plants and the signing, by the same date, of the intergovernmental agreement for the second plant, Moiynkum.

The figures. The nuclear industry development strategy to 2050 provides for a reserve of at least 150,000 tonnes of uranium, according to the agency. At the peak of construction, a two-unit plant will need more than 10,000 workers, and about 1,800 staff in operation, Satkaliyev said. The first plant has a 30% localisation target, supported by a 22-measure plan. According to Kursiv, each planned plant would have 2.4 GW, in two 1.2 GW units.

Context. Construction of the first nuclear plant was backed by more than 70% of voters in the referendum of 6 October 2024, Tengrinews recalls. The Moiynkum plant is to be built in the Zhambyl district of Almaty region by a Chinese consortium, according to Kursiv.

The costs. Kursiv notes that Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar has previously warned that the $15 billion estimate for the Balkhash plant could rise by up to 50% during design and construction.