Kazakhstan’s Return to Nuclear Power

On October 6 of this year, the people of Kazakhstan participated in a referendum to decide whether nuclear power should become a part of their daily lives, or whether the haunting legacy of atomic testing would continue to limit the country’s progress in this area. The official preliminary results, released on October 7, showed that 71.12% of participants agreed to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan with a voter turnout of 63.66%.

President Tokayev’s goal in holding a referendum was to ensure that arguments in favour of nuclear energy were compelling, and that citizens, scientists, and government officials were involved in the decision-making process. Tokayev has since suggested that an “international consortium made up of global companies equipped with cutting-edge technologies” should be involved in the project.

In partnership with the American Foreign Policy Council, on October 30, 2024, TCA will convene a virtual event to discuss what the referendum result means for energy security, geopolitics, and new business opportunities for both regional and global actors.

The Burgut Expert Talk Series is a virtual forum where local and international experts discuss defining trends, challenges and opportunities shaping Central Asia.

Stay tuned for event updates and future Burgut Expert Talks.