Nuclear Energy - The Times Of Central Asia

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Uranium Reserves

Kazakhstan Uranium Reserve Planned by End of 2027

Kazakhstan, the world’s largest uranium producer, plans to create a state strategic uranium reserve by the end of 2027 to secure fuel supplies for its future nuclear power plants. Deputy Prime Minister and National Economy Minister Serik Zhumangarin announced the deadline at a government meeting on November 3. The country’s nuclear development strategy calls for reserving at least 150,000 metric tons of uranium by 2050. Atomic Energy Agency Chairman Almassadam Satkaliyev said on November 2 that the reserve could include deposits left underground, physical stocks of natural uranium, and manufactured nuclear fuel. The government has not announced how much material will be held in each form or how the reserve will be financed. Most of Kazakhstan’s uranium output is exported. In 2026, national uranium company Kazatomprom signed new supply contracts with energy companies in China and India. The company is also exploring six sites covering more than 1,000 square kilometers and plans to begin exploration at the Kyzyltu site. Kazakhstan approved the construction of its first plant under the new nuclear program in an October 2024 referendum. Its longer-term plans envisage at least three plants operating by 2050, reintroducing nuclear generation into an electricity system still heavily dependent on coal. The first plant, Balkhash, is planned near the village of Ulken in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region. Russia’s Rosatom will lead construction of the two-reactor facility, with a combined generating capacity of 2.4 gigawatts. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with commissioning provisionally expected in 2037–2038. China National Nuclear Corporation has been selected to lead the second project, Moyynkum, in the same district near Lake Balkhash. Kazakhstan plans to sign an intergovernmental agreement on the project by the end of 2027. For a third nuclear power plant, it is considering Kurchatov in eastern Kazakhstan and a location in the west of the country, although no final site has been announced. Kazakhstan’s vast uranium deposits do not eliminate the need for international partners to produce reactor fuel. Natural uranium must undergo further processing, including enrichment to make it suitable for the planned reactors, before being manufactured into fuel assemblies, or bundles of fuel rods. Kazakhstan already produces these assemblies at the Kazakh-Chinese Ulba-FA fuel assembly plant in Oskemen. The facility reached its annual design capacity of 200 metric tons of low-enriched uranium in fuel assemblies in 2024. It supplies Chinese reactors using manufacturing technology from France’s Framatome and uranium enriched in Russia.

Nuclear Energy

Two Locations Considered for Kazakhstan’s Third Nuclear Power Plant

Kazakhstan is considering two possible locations for its third nuclear power plant: the city of Kurchatov in the east of the country and an as-yet-unspecified site in western Kazakhstan. Almassadam Satkaliyev, chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency, outlined the options at a parliamentary committee meeting on November 2, according to Kazinform. He said a medium-capacity plant of 300 to 600 megawatts is being considered. In addition to generating electricity, it could supply heat and desalinate water. The potential sites were identified through preliminary studies; a final location has not yet been selected. Kurchatov, in the Abai region, supported operations at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site during the Soviet era and is now home to Kazakhstan’s National Nuclear Center. In western Kazakhstan, the BN-350 fast-neutron reactor in Aktau operated until 1999, generating electricity and desalinating water. “Western Kazakhstan has unique experience operating a reactor. Kurchatov is a city of nuclear specialists. All the necessary expertise is available,” Satkaliyev said. In the October 6, 2024, referendum, 71.12% of participants voted in favor of building a nuclear power plant. In April 2026, Kazakhstan adopted a nuclear industry strategy calling for at least three plants to be operational by 2050. The first plant, Balkhash, is planned near the village of Ulken on the shore of Lake Balkhash, in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region, with the involvement of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom. The project calls for two reactors with a combined capacity of 2.4 gigawatts. The first reactor is expected to enter service in 2034. Satkaliyev said engineering surveys at the Balkhash site are nearing completion, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027. Preparatory work began in August 2025. The same district has been selected for the second plant, provisionally named Moyynkum. China National Nuclear Corporation is the preferred contractor for the project. According to estimates cited by Satkaliyev, more than 10,000 workers will be needed at the peak of construction of a single plant with two reactors, and about 1,800 specialists will be needed to operate it. The government approved a comprehensive plan on September 23 to train personnel for the nuclear industry in 2027–2031. It provides for updated curricula, training and internships, and the development of educational infrastructure and international cooperation. In 2025, six universities in Kazakhstan were training specialists for the nuclear industry, with about 1,000 students enrolled in related engineering programs. Kazakhstan is also planning a state strategic uranium reserve to fuel its future nuclear power plants. Satkaliyev said the nuclear industry strategy calls for reserving at least 150,000 metric tons of uranium by 2050. The reserve could include uranium deposits left underground as well as physical stocks of natural uranium and nuclear fuel. The mechanisms for creating the reserve are still being developed.

Nuclear Energy

U.S. Promotes Small Nuclear Reactors in Uzbekistan

The United States is promoting small modular nuclear reactors in Uzbekistan as Tashkent develops its nuclear power sector with Russia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio promoted the technology during his October 19 visit to Samarkand, linking it to rising energy demand. “We’re introducing U.S. small modular reactors and modernizing the Uzbek electric grid and gas distribution network,” Rubio told the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council. He said the cooperation would help the government keep pace with growing energy demand. Rubio did not name a reactor supplier or announce financing or a construction schedule for an American plant. Uzbekistan’s interest predates Rubio’s visit. In November 2025, the country expressed interest in studying designs from Holtec, GE Hitachi, and NuScale, according to the World Nuclear Association. Tashkent has pursued those discussions alongside its current nuclear partnership with Russia. Small modular reactors generally have an electrical capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Factories can manufacture their components and assemble them on site. Utilities can add smaller units in stages as demand increases. For Uzbekistan, nuclear power forms part of an effort to expand electricity supply as domestic gas production declines. Once a net gas exporter, the country became a net importer in 2023. Gas output fell 16.3% year-on-year in January-August 2026, increasing pressure on supplies. The World Nuclear Association puts natural gas at 76% of Uzbekistan’s electricity output in 2023. Reducing the amount burned in power stations could ease import needs and leave more available for industry, including petrochemicals. Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom is developing Uzbekistan’s first nuclear complex in the Forish district of the Jizzakh region. The design combines two large Russian VVER-1000 reactors with two smaller RITM-200N units, providing about 2.1 gigawatts of capacity. The smaller reactors are each rated at 55 megawatts. Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Vladimir Putin launched the project by video link in June, accompanied by a concrete pouring ceremony. The development has expanded substantially since the countries agreed in 2024 to build a plant consisting of six small reactors. The published schedule envisages a technical launch of the first small unit in late 2029, with the larger units following in the 2030s. Nuclear generation is therefore several years away. Uzbekistan must also improve the networks that deliver electricity to homes and businesses. Following a nationwide referendum on the issue, Kazakhstan is also investing in nuclear power. Its planned Balkhash plant, near Ulken on Lake Balkhash, will use Russian technology. A nuclear agreement signed in May envisages two VVER-1200 reactors with a combined capacity of about 2.4 gigawatts. Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency put the project’s cost at approximately $16.5 billion, including security and supporting infrastructure. Kazakhstan’s strategy calls for at least three nuclear power plants by 2050. China National Nuclear Corporation has been selected to lead the second project. The country is the world’s largest uranium producer, but developing power stations also requires foreign reactor technology and expertise. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have begun cooperating on nuclear safety. Officials...

Nuclear Energy

Japanese Firm Backs Uzbekistan’s Nuclear-Powered Data Center Project

Uzbekistan's first nuclear power plant, now under construction in the Jizzakh region, is primarily a Russian project. Rosatom is supplying the reactors, and Atomstroyexport, part of its engineering division, is the main contractor. But at the first summit of the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue in Tokyo in December 2025, a Japanese company agreed to cooperate on a related project: a 50-megawatt data center that could become the first in the world powered entirely by a small modular nuclear reactor. What Russia Is Building The plant in the Forish district will combine two large VVER-1000 reactors with two smaller RITM-200N reactors, for a total capacity of just over 2.1 gigawatts. Uzbekistan's nuclear energy agency, Uzatom, has estimated the maximum contract value at $9.5 billion. Initial concrete work began in March 2026, while the first concrete for the small reactor's foundation was poured in June. The first small reactor is expected to start up in 2029, while the two larger reactors are scheduled for 2033 and 2035. Japan's Role? On December 20, 2025, at the summit, Uzatom signed a memorandum of understanding with Muroosystems Corporation. This Tokyo-based company, founded in 2006, specializes in information technology infrastructure and renewable energy. It expanded into nuclear engineering through its acquisition of a German company, NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services (NUKEM), in 2024. Through NUKEM, Muroosystems plans to provide nuclear safety assessments and engineering services, alongside technical consulting that includes owner's engineer support. These services are intended to support the project in line with international best practices and International Atomic Energy Agency requirements. The cooperation agreement also covers the proposed nuclear-powered data center, involving Uzbekistan's Ministry of Digital Technologies. There is an interesting history behind NUKEM's involvement. The German company was previously owned indirectly by Atomstroyexport and remains based in Germany, although it has been Japanese-owned since September 2024. The Data Center Itself The project involves a data center with an estimated power demand of 50 megawatts. According to DatacenterDynamics, it is expected to receive its normal electricity supply through a direct line from one of the Russian-made RITM-200N reactors, each capable of generating 55 megawatts, rather than from the national grid. Public announcements do not specify how backup power would be provided during reactor maintenance or shutdowns. Combining a Reactor With a Data Center The rationale, outlined by NUKEM, is straightforward. The data center would receive a stable, round-the-clock power supply. In return, the nuclear power plant would gain a steady customer whose high demand could be met through a direct connection, potentially improving the use of its generating capacity. The project also fits into Uzbekistan's efforts to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure. In September 2026, the country opened new AI-capable data centers in Bukhara and Kokand, while state telecommunications operator Uztelecom announced an agreement to distribute Amazon's satellite internet services. A Pattern, Not an Isolated Case Muroosystems' involvement in Central Asia is not limited to Uzbekistan. The Japanese company has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Nuclear Center of...

Nuclear safety

Kazakhstan Nuclear Emergency Center Opens With U.S. Support

Kazakhstan has opened a center to monitor radiation and coordinate responses to nuclear and radiological emergencies, with support from the United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The center opened on October 2 under Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency. It will receive and analyze radiation data, facilitate information exchange between government agencies, and coordinate their actions during emergencies. The authorities also plan to train specialists and conduct practical emergency-response exercises. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest uranium producer and operates nuclear research facilities. The consequences of Soviet nuclear weapons testing at Semipalatinsk continue to require monitoring and remediation. Between 1949 and 1989, 456 nuclear tests were conducted at the site, leaving areas contaminated with radioactive material. Emergency preparedness needs will increase as the country develops nuclear power generation. In an October 2024 referendum, 71.12% of those who voted supported the construction of a nuclear power plant, with turnout at 63.66%. The authorities have since begun preparations for second and third plants. The first new nuclear power plant is planned near the village of Ulken on the shore of Lake Balkhash. A consortium headed by Russia’s Rosatom will lead the project. The site for a second plant has been designated in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region, near the first project, while China National Nuclear Corporation has been selected to lead the second project. Kazakhstan can also exchange urgent information on nuclear and radiological emergencies through the international system of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre is the round-the-clock global focal point for emergency communication and coordinates information exchange and international assistance. Kazakhstan plans to train specialists for its future nuclear power plants both domestically and abroad

Uranium Supply

Kazatomprom Secures New Uranium Block as Nuclear Demand Expands

Kazakhstan has granted its state-controlled uranium producer Kazatomprom six-year exploration rights to the Kyzyltu block in the Kyzylorda region, where preliminary resources are estimated at around 10,000 metric tons. Kazatomprom announced the exploration license on September 21 and said geological exploration would begin shortly to determine the block’s commercial potential. Kazakhstan remains the world’s largest uranium producer, accounting for roughly 40% of global mine production. Kazatomprom reported output of 25,839 metric tons in 2025 on a 100% basis, including its partners’ shares. The new exploration rights follow a wider effort by Kazatomprom to replenish its resource base. In March, the company outlined six prospective exploration areas covering more than 1,000 square kilometers, with planned exploration spending through 2030 of $155 million to $176 million. The company is also pursuing longer-term supply agreements with overseas buyers. An August outlook from Bloomberg Intelligence expects Kazatomprom and Canada’s Cameco to provide much of the increase in global uranium mine production during the remainder of this decade. Bloomberg estimates mined supply could rise 23% from 2025 levels to around 193 million pounds of U₃O₈ annually during 2028–2031. It estimates Kazatomprom could reach around 80 million pounds of U₃O₈ annually if sufficient sulfuric acid is available. In this base scenario, the uranium market could remain in surplus through 2031 before moving into deficit from 2032, as demand rises and depletion of low-cost reserves in Kazakhstan and Canada constrains supply. New mines generally require long development periods, limiting the ability of supply to respond quickly to higher demand. China is the largest near-term source of additional demand, accounting for 45% of nuclear capacity currently under construction or planned and has set a target of 110 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2030. The United States and European Union are also major markets for Central Asian uranium. U.S. civilian reactor operators purchased 46.9 million pounds of U₃O₈ equivalent in 2025, with Kazakhstan accounting for 28% of deliveries and Uzbekistan 7%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. EU utilities purchased 14,678 metric tons of natural uranium in 2025, with Kazakhstan accounting for 20.3% of deliveries and Uzbekistan 10.4%, according to the Euratom Supply Agency. The European Commission’s nuclear investment assessment projects EU nuclear capacity rising from 98 gigawatts in 2025 to around 109 gigawatts by 2050. Kazakhstan also retains a production-cost advantage. Bloomberg attributes this largely to the widespread use of in-situ recovery, which allows uranium to be extracted without conventional open-pit or underground mining. Sulfuric Acid Supply Remains a Constraint Kazatomprom’s September 21 announcement also addressed Russian sulfuric-acid deliveries, an important issue because the chemical is used extensively in Kazakhstan’s in-situ uranium operations. The company said Russian measures introduced on September 12 had changed export approval procedures through the end of 2026, but had not prohibited exports. Russian suppliers had confirmed their intention to fulfill existing 2026 contracts and were seeking the necessary approvals. Kazatomprom said it did not expect the changes to have a material effect on its 2026 operations or production guidance. Talks over supplies...