Kazakhstan will create a Nuclear Energy Agency, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced during a session of the National Kurultai (annual assembly).
“Given the special significance of this issue, I have decided to establish the Agency for Nuclear Energy under the President. We must maximize the potential of gas and coal-fired generation, as well as renewable energy sources,” Tokayev said.
Tokayev emphasized the need for a comprehensive, long-term approach to energy sector development.
“By approving the construction of the first nuclear power plant in a referendum, citizens have given the green light to this initiative. However, it is crucial not only to meet current energy demands but also to lay the foundation for future economic growth. That is why I believe it is necessary to construct not one, but three nuclear power plants to establish a full-fledged nuclear cluster,” he said.
Kazakhstan held a referendum on October 6, 2024, regarding the construction of its first nuclear power plant. According to the Central Election Commission, 63.66% of eligible voters participated, with 71.12% (5.56 million people) supporting the project.
In January 2025, the government finalized a shortlist of potential technology suppliers for the plant. The candidates include Russia’s Rosatom, South Korea’s KHNP, China’s CNNC, and France’s EDF.
Simultaneously, authorities are completing an analysis of possible locations for the second and third nuclear power plants. The final construction plan is expected to be unveiled in the second quarter of 2025, with the city of Kurchatov among the potential sites under consideration.
