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Nuclear power

Lukashenko Says Belarus Ready to Help Uzbekistan Build Nuclear Power Plant

Belarus is ready to assist Uzbekistan in building a nuclear power plant and training specialists for the country’s emerging nuclear energy sector, President Alexander Lukashenko said during a meeting with Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Belarus, Rakhmatulla Nazarov. According to the Belarusian president’s press service, the discussion took place on March 9 in Minsk and covered a wide range of issues ahead of a planned visit by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Belarus. Lukashenko said relations between the two countries were developing steadily and that the upcoming visit could mark an important stage in expanding bilateral cooperation. “My very good friend Shavkat Miromonovich [Mirziyoyev] and I have much to discuss,” Lukashenko said at the beginning of the meeting. “By the time of his visit, we will update our agenda and develop plans for the near and medium term.” The Belarusian leader noted that both countries are working toward increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion in the coming years. He said such a target was realistic because the two economies complement rather than compete with each other. “Everything we know how to produce, from agriculture to machine building, is needed by the densely populated Uzbek state,” Lukashenko said, according to Belarusian media. Among the areas of potential cooperation, Lukashenko highlighted agriculture, industrial production, and nuclear energy. He said Belarus was prepared to share technologies, provide training, and support joint projects. “We know about your interest in our specialists in building a nuclear power plant,” Lukashenko said during the meeting. “We acquired these competencies thanks to cooperation with Russia. If it suits you, come at any time. Your representatives can meet with our specialists, and we will facilitate the construction of your nuclear power station.” Belarus has gained experience in nuclear energy through its cooperation with Russia on the Astravets nuclear power plant, which began operating in recent years. Lukashenko said Belarusian specialists currently work with Russian partners on nuclear projects in several countries. He emphasized that cooperation in nuclear energy and other sectors would be mutually beneficial, noting the size of Uzbekistan’s market and its rapidly growing economy. Lukashenko also praised Uzbekistan’s recent development efforts. “We see how Uzbekistan is drawing experience and expertise from around the world,” he said, adding that Belarus is ready to contribute to training specialists and developing technology in different sectors. The Belarusian president also said his country remains open to Uzbek workers seeking employment in Belarus, noting that migrant workers are offered access to education and social services on equal terms with local residents. In August last year, officials from Uzbekistan’s Uzatom Atomic Energy Agency met with Belarusian Energy Minister Denis Moroz in Minsk to discuss potential collaboration in nuclear infrastructure development, specialist training, and radioactive waste management. During those talks, Belarus expressed readiness to share its experience as Uzbekistan develops its national nuclear energy program.

Nuclear power

Uzbekistan Clarifies Nuclear Plant Timeline After Reports of Delay

Uzbekistan’s plans to begin construction of its first nuclear power plant have come under renewed scrutiny following the publication of a draft state program suggesting the start of work could be postponed until December 2026. The draft made public on the regulation.adliya.uz portal prompted widespread media speculation. According to the document, Uzbekistan intends to spend 2026 negotiating, signing, and registering an additional agreement with Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. The proposed agreement would revise the configuration of the integrated nuclear power plant project, combining a large-capacity VVER-1000 reactor with small modular RITM-200N reactors. Some outlets interpreted this language as a sign that the pouring of the first concrete might not occur until the end of 2026. In response, the Uzatom nuclear energy agency issued an official clarification, stating that previously announced timelines remain unchanged. In a statement released after the draft’s publication, Uzatom stressed that the document does not stipulate any postponement of construction. The agency noted that the December 2026 date reflects a conservative planning scenario in which all preparatory and licensing procedures are finalized by that time. Uzatom emphasized its adherence to national legislation and international standards on nuclear and radiation safety. It added that the first concrete pouring, considered a key milestone, will only proceed after receiving all necessary permits and approvals from relevant authorities. “We clearly understand the level of responsibility involved in this stage,” the agency said, adding that work on the project is advancing across all areas. The clarification comes amid sustained public interest in Uzbekistan’s nuclear energy plans. Speaking at World Atomic Week in Moscow in September last year, Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhadjaev stated that Uzbekistan aims to fully commission a high-capacity nuclear power plant by 2035. According to him, the first small modular reactor in the Jizzakh region is expected to begin operations in 2029, with a second unit following six months later. The first reactor of the large-scale facility is scheduled to come online in 2033, with full capacity reached by 2035, though Akhmedkhadjaev noted that final timelines are contingent on the completion of contractual agreements. Uzatom said it will continue to provide timely updates as the project progresses through its key phases.

Nuclear Energy

U.S. and Kazakhstan Expand Civil Nuclear Cooperation With Focus on Small Modular Reactors

The United States and Kazakhstan have expanded cooperation on civil nuclear energy, placing small modular reactors at the center of a new phase in bilateral engagement. In late December 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan announced two initiatives under the U.S. State Department’s Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology program, known as FIRST. The measures focus on workforce training and technical evaluation as Kazakhstan prepares to reintroduce nuclear power generation. Kazakhstan is the first country in Central Asia to participate in the FIRST program, which was launched by the U.S. State Department in 2021 to help partner countries prepare regulatory frameworks, workforce capacity, and infrastructure for advanced nuclear technologies. The first initiative provides for the installation of a classroom-based SMR (small modular reactor) simulator at the Kazakhstan Institute of Nuclear Physics in Almaty. The simulator is intended to train specialists in reactor operations, safety systems, and emergency response. On January 6, 2026, the American Nuclear Society reported that the simulator will be supplied by U.S. companies Holtec International and WSC Inc., a simulation technology company that operates as part of the Curtiss-Wright group. The project is designed to build domestic technical capacity prior to licensing or construction decisions. The International Science and Technology Center is supporting implementation in Kazakhstan. The second initiative is a feasibility study examining which U.S.-designed SMRs could be technically and economically suitable for Kazakhstan. According to the American Nuclear Society, the study is being conducted under FIRST, with U.S. engineering firm Sargent & Lundy. The assessment is expected to cover grid integration, siting considerations, cooling requirements, and indicative deployment timelines. The study does not authorize construction or commit Kazakhstan to a specific reactor technology; rather, the feasibility study is intended to produce a shortlist of U.S. SMR designs that could be compatible with Kazakhstan’s grid, geography, and projected electricity demand. These initiatives follow Kazakhstan’s decision to return to nuclear power. On October 6, 2024, voters approved the construction of nuclear power plants in a national referendum. Official results published by the Central Referendum Commission showed 71.12% voting in favor, with turnout at 63.66%. Kazakhstan has not generated nuclear electricity since the BN-350 fast reactor at Aktau was shut down in 1999. Government energy planners have warned that Kazakhstan faces growing electricity shortfalls as early as the mid-2020s, driven by aging coal plants and rising consumption. Kazakhstan’s interest in nuclear energy reflects structural pressures in the power sector. Coal-fired plants still supply most electricity, particularly in northern regions, but much of that capacity is aging. Electricity demand continues to rise alongside industrial output and urban growth, while the government has set targets to reduce emissions intensity. Nuclear power is being positioned as a source of stable, low-carbon baseload generation that can complement renewable energy. Kazakhstan also occupies a central position in the global nuclear fuel market. The country accounts for about 40% of global uranium mine production and holds roughly 14% of identified recoverable uranium resources. Despite that role, the country has relied...

Energy Policy

Tokayev Calls Nuclear Power a Correction of Kazakhstan’s “Historical Absurdity”

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described Kazakhstan’s push to build nuclear power plants as a correction of a “historical absurdity”, namely, that a nation which ranks among the world’s top producers and exporters of uranium has yet to harness this resource for domestic electricity generation. In October 2024, a nationwide referendum showed broad public support for the development of nuclear energy. Following the vote, Tokayev announced plans to construct at least two nuclear power plants, with a third to follow. In June 2025, Russian state corporation Rosatom was selected to build the country’s first nuclear power plant near the village of Ulken, on the western shore of Lake Balkhash, about 400 kilometers northwest of Almaty. Contracts for the second and third plants were later signed with the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). “The construction of several nuclear power plants is, on the one hand, a correction of the historical absurdity – to be a world leader in the production of uranium and not to build any nuclear power plants, on the other, it is the prestige of Kazakhstan,” Tokayev said in an interview with Turkistan newspaper, published on the official Akorda website. According to Tokayev, reliable electricity generation is essential for Kazakhstan’s transition to a new technological model of the economy. He emphasized that the development of supercomputers, data centers, and automated industrial systems requires substantial energy resources. “This is the reality of the new global technological order,” he stated. Tokayev has consistently argued that Kazakhstan must become a digital power, framing digitalization as a matter of national survival. He believes society is mentally prepared for innovation, citing the success of fintech companies and the expansion of digital government services. “We have good starting conditions and have made progress in the digitalization of public services, fintech, and several sectors of the economy. The ecosystem supporting IT startups is functioning effectively,” the president noted. He added that for continued progress, Kazakhstan requires stable, environmentally friendly, and high-capacity energy sources, needs best met by nuclear power. Tokayev also highlighted the importance of personnel in building a nuclear energy sector. He said the development of nuclear power will contribute to the emergence of a new class of technical intelligentsia, which could ultimately influence state policy. “Qualified specialists are needed to create modern energy sources. The head of NVIDIA, the world's largest company by market capitalization, predicts that in the near future, multimillionaires will include representatives of technical professions, the so-called ‘blue-collar workers’,” Tokayev said. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan plans to train nuclear energy specialists abroad through the Bolashak state program.

Nuclear power

Kazakhstan Names First Nuclear Facility the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant

Kazakhstan has officially named its first nuclear power facility the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant, following the results of a national competition. More than 10,000 unique names were proposed by citizens across the country, with “Balqash Atom Elektr Stansiyasy” (in Kazakh) receiving the most votes. Nationwide Contest Engages Public in Naming The competition to name the new plant was conducted via the eGov Mobile platform and ran from September 25 to October 10. Open to citizens aged 16 and older, the contest received 27,157 entries, generating 10,460 unique name suggestions. These figures accounted for variations in Cyrillic and Latin spelling, as well as synonymous formulations. A selection committee was established on September 5, comprising public figures, members of the creative sector, philologists, historians, and nuclear energy experts. In its final session, the committee reviewed the 100 most popular submissions. Why “Balqash” Was Selected The winning name, “Balqash Atom Elektr Stansiyasy,” was submitted by 882 participants, placing it at the top of the popularity ranking. The Atomic Energy Agency noted that naming nuclear power plants after their geographical location aligns with international conventions. In this case, the name references the Balkhash Lake region, where the plant is under development. The commission also approved the following official version of the name in English: Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant. Participants who proposed the winning name will receive electronic certificates of co-authorship via the eGov Mobile app within one month. Authorities have compiled a database of all name proposals, which may be used in future naming efforts for additional nuclear units or plants. Despite the public engagement, some citizens on social media questioned the outcome, expressing skepticism about the need for a contest that ultimately selected a geographically obvious name. Construction Progresses at Ulken Site While the naming contest was underway, initial construction began at the nuclear plant’s designated site near the village of Ulken in the Almaty region. Preparatory work commenced in August, led by the Russian state corporation Rosatom as the general contractor. By the end of October, design and survey work was already in progress. The Ulken Nuclear Power Plant is expected to play a central role in Kazakhstan’s long-term energy strategy. Discussions are also underway regarding a potential second nuclear facility in the Zhambyl District of the Almaty region, though this project remains in the evaluation phase. Experts consider the area a promising location for future development.

Nuclear power

IAEA Approves Site for Nuclear Power Plant in Eastern Kazakhstan

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has approved a site near the city of Kurchatov in Kazakhstan’s eastern Abai region for the potential construction of a nuclear power plant, according to its Chairman Almasadam Satkaliyev. Kazakhstan held a national referendum last year on nuclear energy development, with over 71 percent of voters endorsing the construction of a nuclear power plant. Following the vote, the government selected Russia’s Rosatom as the contractor for the country’s first facility, located in the Almaty region. Construction has already begun near the village of Ulken on the shores of Lake Balkhash, approximately 400 kilometers from Almaty. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has since outlined plans to build a network of two to three nuclear power plants across the country. He has instructed the government to finalize both the vendor selection and site locations. China’s National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has been chosen to construct two additional plants, although their locations remain undecided. Kurchatov, adjacent to the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, and the Mangystau region on the Caspian Sea coast are under consideration. Speaking before parliament, Satkaliyev confirmed that the Kurchatov site has received IAEA approval. “We have a very transparent procedure before any decision on construction: mandatory public hearings, mandatory conclusions from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other authorized state bodies, a full site survey, and an assessment by international experts. The IAEA has already approved the Kurchatov site, but without the consent of the local population, construction will not begin anywhere in Kazakhstan,” he said. Satkaliyev emphasized that no final decision has been made regarding construction in Kurchatov, but he expressed personal support for deploying small and medium modular reactors in the Abai region, which he described as “not as critically dangerous.” A decision has also not been finalized on the potential western site. Satkaliyev noted that the Caspian coast remains under review for the installation of small or medium reactors. “A corresponding study will soon be carried out to assess the feasibility of construction, based on IAEA criteria: seismic activity, safety, availability of a reservoir, and sufficient water supply. We believe this site has strong potential,” he said. During a recent meeting of the State Commission on the Atomic Industry, the Zhambyl district in the Almaty region was identified as another prospective site. “This means the second plant will also be in the south of the country, where there is currently an energy deficit. Electricity is transmitted there via the North-South transit line. A plant in this region would improve the reliability and stability of energy supply,” Satkaliyev explained. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Tokayev also announced plans to establish nuclear science cities in Almaty and Kurchatov to support the development of nuclear energy and nuclear medicine.