Page 555 – The Times Of Central Asia

23 Sep 2024

Central Asia, Environment, Home, Kazakhstan Local Politics, International Affairs, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

From Test Sites to Power Plants: Kazakhstan’s Journey Towards a Nuclear Referendum

October 7, 2024
By Aliya Haidar

The history of nuclear power in Kazakhstan has many chapters: the arms race, the suffering of people due to test sites, the highest achievements in the name of science, and the service of the nuclear industry for the benefit of society are closely intertwined here. On the eve of the referendum on Kazakhstan’s first atomic power plant, it is necessary to revisit these pages in history.

A dark past

Construction of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site began in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic in 1947. The test site is located on the border of the Semipalatinsk (now Abay), Pavlodar, and Karaganda regions, 130 kilometers northwest of Semipalatinsk (now Semey), on the left bank of the Irtysh River.

On its territory is the previously closed city of Kurchatov, renamed as such in honor of Soviet-era physicist, Igor Kurchatov.

The first nuclear weapons test held in the Soviet Union was conducted at this site on August 29, 1949. The power of the bomb totaled 22 kilotons. From 1949 to 1989, at least 468 nuclear tests were conducted at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. The long-term operation of this site and its negative impact on residents’ health and the surrounding environment help to explain the fear of nuclear energy in Kazakhstan. Two million people were affected across 300 square kilometers; with all agriculture banned, a vast swathe of land still remains off-limits. Pregnancies are still screened for possible termination, with 6% of babies born “polygon” (the name for the “closed zone”.)

Polygon baby, National Museum of Kazakhstan, Astana; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland

Shutdowns and shortages

On August 29, 1991, Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, closed the Semipalatinsk test site. Prior to this, citizens had held rallies protesting against nuclear testing and its development. By 1994, Kazakhstan had voluntarily relinquished its part of the USSR’s nuclear arsenal.

On May 15, 1992, the National Nuclear Center in the city of Kurchatov was established based on the complex of the former Semipalatinsk test site. The Center deals with eliminating the consequences of nuclear tests and also conducts active and multidisciplinary scientific activities on the remaining research reactors in Kurchatov. Scientific research occurs internationally and touches upon safety technologies, the space program, and more.

In 1957, the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Kazakh SSR Academy of Sciences was founded near Almaty (then Alma-Ata), where the VVR-K reactor, which is still operating today, was launched in 1967. The reactor was shut down in the late 1980s after the Chernobyl disaster and the earthquake in Spitak (Armenia); it was restarted in 1997, and the complex underwent safety and seismic reinforcement modernization. The Institute owns eight experimental facilities: the VVR-K research reactor, a “Критический стенд” lit. “critical stand,” and six charged particle gas pedal complexes.

In 1972, a unique fast neutron reactor BN-350 was launched in Aktau (then Shevchenko) at the Mangistau Atomic Energy Combine (MAEC). The reactor provided the Mangistau Peninsula with electricity and heat, and supported the operation of desalination plants taking seawater from the Caspian Sea. The reactor was decommissioned in 1999. Since then, MAEK has been running on gas, and Mangistau, which has almost no fresh water resources, has almost constantly experienced severe water and electricity shortages. Neighboring regions are also suffering.

Shevchenko BN350, Aktau

In particular, in July 2023, power unit No. 1 at the MAEK thermal power plant was shut down. This left part of the city of Atyrau without electricity and also caused an emergency at the Atyrau Refinery, where the refinery’s process units were stopped. Due to the power outage at MAEC, oil production was wholly or partially suspended at the fields of JSC Ozenmunaigas, JSC Mangistaumunaigas, JSC Karazhanbasmunai, and JSC Embamunaigas in the Mangistau and Atyrau regions.

A brighter future?

Meanwhile, in 2009, Kazakhstan took first place in uranium production worldwide, and continues to maintain its position in the market. The republic produces about 40% of the world’s uranium. In addition, Kazakhstan has the world’s second-largest proven uranium reserves, with a 14% share. The first deposit, the Kurdai deposit, was discovered in 1953. A national company, NAC Kazatomprom, was established in 1997 to manage uranium extraction and the nuclear industries.

Kazakhstan currently experiences an acute shortage of electricity. According to the Ministry of Energy, in 2024, electricity consumption will total 120.6 billion kWh, while production will total 118.3 billion kWh, leaving a deficit of just under 2.4 billion kWh. In 2025, this figure will rise to 3.3 billion kWh, accounting for consumption at 125.1 billion kWh, and production at 121.8 billion kWh.

The situation will be particularly challenging in the south, where the population is rapidly growing. The consumption level in the Southern Zone is much higher than the production level, 27.7 billion kWh against 15.3 billion kWh. Thus, the deficit is equal to 12.4 billion kWh. Currently, Kazakhstan is forced to buy electricity from Russia.

The high wear and tear of TPPs (thermal power plants) and power grids only complicates the situation. In the winter months of 2023 and 2024, Kazakhstan experienced several communal accidents, especially in Ridder and Ekibastuz, where residents were left without heat in temperatures of minus 30-degrees. According to the government, the average wear and tear of CHP (combined heat and power plant) equipment is 66%, with the wear and tear of CHP in Uralsk, Stepnogorsk, Taraz, Kyzylorda, and Kentau exceeding 80%. The average age of CHPs in the country is 61 years, and approximately 76% of CHPs have been in operation for more than 50 years.

Today, a vast majority of experts believe Kazakhstan can only survive with further nuclear energy development and the construction of the first NPP. Without NPPs, the energy deficit will increase, especially in the southern regions. Almaty, the largest metropolitan city, is threatened with rolling blackouts. Kazakhstan will not achieve energy independence if it constantly buys electricity from Russia.

The idea of building a nuclear power plant dates back to the 1990s. In September 2021, speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed scientists to “study the possibility of developing safe and environmentally-friendly nuclear energy in Kazakhstan… I have instructed the government to increase the share of renewable and alternative energy sources in power generation to 15% by 2030. About 2,000 MW of renewable energy sources have been put into operation. Kazakhstan is on the way to the target. However, commitment to RES alone is not enough to achieve carbon neutrality,” the president stated.

On September 1, 2023, President Tokayev announced during his annual address to the nation that a popular vote on the need to build a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan would be held on October 6. As early as June 2022, the Ministry of Energy reported that the village of Ulken in the Almaty region had been selected as the site for the prospective power plant.

According to the government, the shortlist of companies to build the plant are the Chinese company, CNNC with the HPR-1000 reactor, Korea’s KHNP, with the APR-1400 reactor, Russia’s Rosatom, with VVER-1200 and VVER-1000 reactors, and the French EDF, with the EPR-1200 reactor. Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev said earlier that Kazakhstan is also considering proposals from two U.S. companies to build nuclear power plants.

Given the tragic legacy of the nuclear test site near Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstanis must make a tough decision. The ballot will ask citizens to answer one simple question: “Do you agree with constructing a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan?” The national referendum will be held on October 6. There are to be two answer options on the ballot: “Yes, I agree” and “No, I do not agree.”

20 Sep 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

ADB To Provide Uzbekistan With $300 Million To Support Microfinance

September 20, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide the government of Uzbekistan with $300 million to support unbanked or underbanked micro-enterprises. The funds will aim to improve access to finance for micro and small businesses, primarily focusing on supporting women entrepreneurs, which ADB Director General for Central and West Asia, Eugene Zhukov, says will be an essential step towards the country’s economic development and job creation.

Kanokpan Lao-Araya, Director of ADB’s Resident Mission in Uzbekistan, said the loan will help improve the quality of life of entrepreneurs and provide them with new financial opportunities. State-owned commercial banks primarily control Uzbekistan’s financial sector, and microfinance organizations occupy only 0.5% of the system.

According to Global Findex data for 2021, only 44% of Uzbekistan’s adult population has accounts with formal financial institutions, well below the Central Asian average of 58%. The lack of commercial microfinance has led to a severe credit gap, especially among small businesses. Support from the ADB aims to close this gap and develop an inclusive financial system to contribute to the country’s sustainable economic growth.

The Asian Development Bank was founded in 1966 and has 68 member countries. Uzbekistan joined the ADB in 1995, since which time the bank has provided the country with loans, grants, and technical assistance worth $12.5 billion.

20 Sep 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Pakistan Joins Transport Corridor Between Indian Ocean and Eastern Europe

October 8, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport has announced that Pakistan has officially joined the memorandum of understanding on establishing and developing the international transport corridor “Belarus–Russia–Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–Indian Ocean.”

The Pakistani Ministry of Communications signed this memorandum on September 18.

The process of creating this multimodal transport corridor began in August 2022, at a meeting between the Uzbek government and the Eurasian Economic Commission – the governing body of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union that also includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

In November 2023, the transport ministries of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of understanding, launching the project’s active phase of work.

The group’s first meeting on developing the proposed multimodal transport corridor was held in April 2024 in Termez, Uzbekistan. During that meeting, Belarus joined the memorandum, while Afghanistan and Pakistan announced the beginning of internal procedures for joining the project. At that meeting, a roadmap was signed, including specific plans for the development of cargo transportation, analysis of cargo flows, introduction of electronic digital documents, and optimization of customs procedures.

The participating countries expect that the new corridor will become an important link in Eurasia’s transport system, providing convenient and efficient routes for the transit of goods and strengthening economic cooperation.

20 Sep 2024

Silk Road Treasures, Central Asia, Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

The First-Ever Audio Recording of Kazakh Music

September 20, 2024
By Askar Alimzhanov

It was long believed that the world’s first audio recording of Kazakh music was made in 1925 during the performance of singer, Amre Kashaubaev, at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes in France. However, the Berlin Museum of Visual Anthropology and Ethnology has recordings of Kazakh folk music, voices, and ritual chants, which were made in western Kazakhstan twenty years earlier.

These recordings were made during the Acoustic Era, when sound waves were still recorded through analog methods. In 1857, Frenchman, Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville invented the so-called phonautograph. Three years later, the world’s first song was recorded. It was a French folk song, “By the Light of the Moon”. In 1877, Thomas Edison invented the phonograph. This invention could both record and playback audio and marked the start of the Acoustic Era. Later, in 1900, Carl Stumpf, a professor of psychology at the University of Berlin, established a phonogram archive in Berlin, where, at the same time, an orchestra from Thailand was touring. Stumpf recorded the Thai music, which was considered exotic to Europeans at that time. This recording became the first in the rich Ethnomusicology collection of the Ethnological Museum of Berlin.

These recordings were originally discovered at the Institute of Russian Literature, also known as Pushkin House, which is part of the network that is affiliated with the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dr. Efim Rezvan, a well-known scholar of Turkology, showed the TCA team the wax rollers – cylindrical wax containers that can be played using Edison’s phonograph. The first-ever audio recordings of Kazakh music were made using these devices. The German scientist Richard Karutz recorded them in the early 20th century when he organized an expedition to the steppes of Turkestan. As a result of his expedition, he wrote a book called Among the Kirghiz and Turkmens in Mangyshlak. During his expedition, Karutz took many photos and collected audio recordings of the local peoples’ art. In addition to his scientific research, Karutz pursued other goals; for instance, he wrote about the health benefits of tea, which the locals consumed in large quantities. He claimed that drinking tea in large quantities when the air temperature was over 40 degrees Celsius helped them to bear the heat. Karutz wrote that, “It is necessary for our troops to weigh the importance of tea consumption during summer maneuvers and campaigns.”

Richard Karutz was born into a mercantile family. In 1886, he went to study medicine at the University of Jena 1891. Completing his studies and receiving his doctorate in 1891, he then worked as a doctor aboard a ship. Whilst on working as a surgeon on a ship, Karutz traveled to South America and West Africa. After these trips, Karutz became interested in ethnography. In 1896, he was appointed head of the ethnographic collection of the Museum of Ethnology in Lübeck. Karutz enriched the museum’s collection with artifacts from his travels, and encouraged other merchants and travelers to bring items from other countries for the collection. The ethnographic collection of Lübeck became one of the largest in the world due to his activities.

In 1903 and 1909, he traveled to Turkestan and described the customs and arts of the Turkmen and the Kazakhs. His book, Among the Kirghiz and Turkmens in Mangyshlak was edited by Vasily Radlov, a famous ethnographer, archaeologist, and educator of German origin, and one of the pioneers of Turkic studies within the field of history. Karutz’s book consists of nine chapters that describe the lives of Kazakhs and Turkmen in the western region of modern Kazakhstan.

Karutz later became interested in Nazi ideology and became an ideologist of fascism.

Researchers at the Institute of Russian Literature explained to TCA that these wax rolls are copies of the original recordings, with the originals being housed at the Ethnological Museum of Berlin. These valuable exhibits were taken from Germany to St. Petersburg as trophies at the end of the Second World War. Only in the late 1950s were the originals returned to East Berlin, which at the time was the Soviet-controlled German Democratic Republic.

Now, the archive holds electrotyped copies of Karutz’s wax rolls which were made after the reunification of Germany. Making copies of wax rolls is a standard procedure, since wax is a fragile material and breaks down after just a few plays. A method was found to preserve the wax records, which uses electrotyping, a form of electroplating.

Now, all 16 recordings made by Karutz are available to researchers in Kazakhstan. Copies were deposited in the Republic of Kazakhstan’s Central State Archive of Film, Photo, and Sound Recordings. The researchers who studied the materials found that Karutz recorded many of the different peoples of Central Asia. Folk motifs, dance, and the melodies of religious rituals are all parts of these unique recordings. Specialists from the Kazakh Conservatory, chaired by Professor Saule Utegalieva, found Tatar songs among these. There are also Russian folk songs with the words changed to Kazakh. These recordings show the profound mutual influence of different cultures on each other. There is a recording of a man counting in Kazakh, indicating that the Kazakh language has remained practically unchanged despite a century of political turmoil and the adoption of three different alphabets (Arabic, Latin, Cyrillic).

20 Sep 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan International Affairs, Tajikistan Local Politics, International Affairs, Tajikistan Business Economy, Tajikistan, Business & Economy

Saudi Fund Contributes $100 Million Towards Rogun Hydropower Plant in Tajikistan

September 20, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

The Saudi Development Fund has allocated $100 million to finance the completion of the Rogun hydropower plant in Tajikistan. This was announced by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Tajikistan, Walid bin Abdulrahman Al-Rashidan, at a press conference dedicated to the 94th anniversary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s founding.

“This project is strategically important for the country, as it will ensure energy security and sustainable economic growth. The Rogun HPP is a key element of Tajikistan’s energy infrastructure; it will significantly increase electricity production and strengthen its position regionally,” Al-Rashidan said.

Saudi Arabia’s financial support strengthens bilateral cooperation in energy and economic relations.

The estimated cost of completing the construction of the Rogun HPP is $6.4 billion. Once it reaches full capacity, about 70% of the electricity generated will be exported to other Central Asian countries.

According to a report by the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD), the financing of the Rogun HPP is one of the main risks for Tajikistan’s budget and debt sustainability. A possible increase in the cost of hydropower construction could reduce funding for other essential infrastructure projects and social spending. Analysts emphasize that “in the face of uncertainty regarding funding sources, starting in 2025, the government of Tajikistan may have additional needs for budgetary support from international financial organizations.”

20 Sep 2024

Central Asia, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

China Gives 200 Million Yuan Grant Aid to Kyrgyzstan

September 20, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

The Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Commerce has announced that the Chinese government has allocated grant assistance to Kyrgyzstan totaling 200 million yuan (more than $28 million). The money will be used to finance socially significant projects in priority areas.

The grant agreement was signed on September 19 in Beijing, following the Intergovernmental Kyrgyz-Chinese Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation meeting held the previous day.

Deputy Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, Bakyt Torobaev, headed the Kyrgyz delegation at the meeting.

On September 18, Torobaev held meetings with the heads of Chinese companies.

During a meeting with Zoomlion, a leading Chinese agricultural machinery manufacturer, the sides discussed supplying agricultural machinery and equipment to Kyrgyzstan and the potential opening of a training center for the assembly of agricultural machinery in Kyrgyzstan.

Noting Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to expand the export of agricultural products to China, Torobaev said that work is nearing completion on constructing a warehouse near the Irkeshtam checkpoint on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border. This will increase the volume of cargo transportation from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to China.

During a meeting with Jiangnan Delivery (GZ) Food Supply Chain Co., Ltd, a Chinese importer of agricultural products, the parties focused on issues of exchanging experience in the field of e-commerce and a proposal to build a laboratory in Kyrgyzstan that will create opportunities for the unhindered entry of Kyrgyz agricultural products into the Chinese market.

According to Chinese statistics, trade turnover between China and Kyrgyzstan amounted to $20 billion in 2023, a 32% increase compared to 2022. Bilateral trade reached almost $11 billion from January to July this year.