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Kazakhstan Prioritizes Nuclear Energy in Long-Term Development Strategy

Kazakhstan has identified the development of nuclear energy as a strategic priority for the country's economic future, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced at the Astana International Forum (AIF). “Kazakhstan, which possesses 40% of the world's uranium reserves, views nuclear energy as a key pillar of its national development strategy,” Tokayev stated. “However, sustainable development is impossible without addressing the climate crisis, particularly as Central Asia is among the region’s most vulnerable to climate change. Global warming is occurring here at twice the global average rate.” To address this, Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan’s commitment to a pragmatic and regionally coordinated climate agenda. He noted the country’s participation in various international organizations and agreements focused on environmental sustainability. In 2026, Kazakhstan, in partnership with the United Nations, will host a Regional Climate Summit, aimed at aligning Central Asian strategies with global environmental ambitions. Tokayev also highlighted the recent establishment of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. “This marks a significant step in our multilateral cooperation. The center will facilitate joint projects, provide technical support, and coordinate international efforts,” he said. At the same time, Kazakhstan continues to promote nuclear non-proliferation. “Today, nine countries possess more than 13,000 nuclear warheads. Experts warn that the risk of their use is rising, whether through miscalculation, accident, or escalation,” Tokayev cautioned. He emphasized the lasting impact of 450 nuclear tests conducted on Kazakh territory during the Soviet era. Public support for nuclear energy has been growing. In a referendum held last fall, over 70% of Kazakh citizens voted in favor of developing the country’s nuclear energy capacity. In January 2025, the government finalized a shortlist of potential technology suppliers for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant. The contenders include Russia’s Rosatom, South Korea’s KHNP, China’s CNNC, and France’s EDF. The inaugural plant is expected to be built in the Almaty region and operational by 2035. Authorities are also evaluating sites for two additional facilities, with possible locations in Balkhash (southeastern Kazakhstan), Kurchatov (in the Abai region, near the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site), and Aktau (Mangistau region, home to a Soviet-era experimental reactor). To oversee the development and regulation of the sector, Kazakhstan established the Atomic Energy Agency in March. Reporting directly to the president, the agency is responsible for uranium mining, atomic energy use, radiation safety, and management of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Safety Zone.

Uranium Uranium Supply Kazatomprom Agreement ČEZ

Kazakh Uranium to Power Czech Nuclear Plants

Kazakhstan’s National Atomic Company Kazatomprom has signed a contract with Czech energy giant ČEZ a.s. to supply natural uranium for the country’s nuclear power plants. The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening energy cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union. Expanding European Reach The contract, signed at ČEZ’s headquarters in Prague, represents a key milestone in the expansion of Kazatomprom’s uranium supply footprint in Europe. Under the seven-year deal, Kazakhstan will provide approximately one-third of the uranium needed for Westinghouse fuel assemblies used at the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant. Both parties emphasized the agreement’s importance for regional energy security and environmental sustainability. “With the signing of this agreement, Kazatomprom continues to expand its presence in Europe and strengthen its strategy to diversify its sales portfolio. This is another important milestone on our way to becoming the preferred partner for the global nuclear power industry,” said Vladislav Baiguzhin, Kazatomprom’s Chief Commercial Officer. Bogdan Zronek, head of ČEZ’s nuclear division, highlighted the strategic value of the partnership: “The partnership with Kazatomprom diversifies our supplier portfolio and is of strategic importance for ČEZ and the Czech Republic. It provides a stable and reliable source of fuel for our nuclear power plants.” ČEZ and the Czech Nuclear Sector ČEZ is Central Europe’s leading energy company, operating six nuclear reactors at the Temelín and Dukovany sites. Together, these facilities supply roughly 36% of the Czech Republic’s electricity. The company is actively advancing its VIZE 2030 decarbonization strategy, aiming to secure a stable, environmentally friendly energy future. Kazatomprom’s Global Standing Kazatomprom remains the world’s largest producer of natural uranium, accounting for about 21% of global primary production in 2024. All production is carried out in Kazakhstan using in-situ leaching, an environmentally safer extraction method. The company is certified under ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards. Kazatomprom exports uranium globally, with key markets in China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. Deliveries are made via long-term contracts and the spot market, including through its Swiss-based subsidiary, Trading House KazakAtom. Ongoing International Partnerships The agreement with ČEZ builds on a strategic relationship initiated in 2016, when the two sides signed a memorandum to cooperate on nuclear fuel cycle projects, including exploration, mining, processing, reclamation, marketing, and technological innovation. In February 2025, Kazatomprom also signed its first-ever uranium supply contract with Switzerland’s Axpo Power AG and Kernkraftwerk Leibstadt AG for the Beznau and Leibstadt nuclear power plants. The latest deal further solidifies Kazatomprom’s position in Europe’s energy market and underscores the growing role of nuclear power in the region’s shift toward clean, sustainable energy sources.

JUMCO Memorandum Kazatomprom Uranium

Kazakhstan to Help Jordan Assess Uranium Reserves

During Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Jordan, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Kazakhstan’s Kazatomprom National Atomic Company JSC and the Jordan Uranium Mining Company (JUMCO). The agreement outlines plans for cooperation in uranium exploration and mining in Jordan. Kazatomprom CEO Meirzhan Yusupov emphasized that the partnership with JUMCO presents new opportunities to strengthen Kazakhstan’s position in the global uranium industry. “This memorandum aligns with our strategic goals of efficiently utilizing our resource base. Additionally, studying foreign projects will provide valuable international experience and contribute to the sustainable development of both countries,” he said. Assessing Uranium Potential in Jordan The primary goal of the agreement is to evaluate the potential for uranium exploration and development in Jordan. This includes assessing reserves and analyzing the feasibility of using heap leaching technologies for extraction. Special attention will be given to environmental safety and economic viability. Based on the study results, both parties will decide on the next steps for project development. JUMCO CEO Mohammad Al-Shannagh stated that partnering with the world’s largest uranium producer could accelerate Jordan’s commercial uranium production. “Cooperation with Kazatomprom will open new horizons for us in uranium mining, allowing us to share knowledge, use advanced technologies, and jointly develop marketing strategies,” he said. Joint projects are expected to give new impetus to Jordan’s nuclear industry, creating jobs, attracting local contractors, and improving infrastructure. Kazakhstan’s Expanding Uranium Industry Kazakhstan’s collaboration with JUMCO provides an opportunity to expand its international reach, strengthen economic ties with Jordan, and enhance its influence in the global uranium sector. Kazatomprom is the world’s largest producer of natural uranium, with priority access to one of the world’s most significant resource bases. Since November 2018, Kazatomprom’s shares have been traded on the Astana International Financial Center Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.

United States Green Transition Nuclear power Rare Earth Elements Uranium China Russia

Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Move and Implications for the West

Kazakhstan’s recent referendum approving the construction of its first nuclear power plant (NPP) is a watershed moment. More than a domestic policy decision, this move puts into relief Kazakhstan's strategy for positioning itself as a linchpin in the diversification of global energy supply chains, with the world's largest uranium reserves accounting for nearly 40% of the global supply and a key geographic location. The country's ambitions align with the broader resurgence of nuclear power as an indispensable component of a sustainable energy future, countering decades of stagnation in the West and challenging the dominance of Russia and China. The renewed attention on nuclear energy arises from a convergence of systemic and technological factors. Environmental pressures to reduce reliance on fossil fuels such as gas and coal have left energy producers searching for scalable, reliable alternatives. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar, while important, remain limited by intermittency and storage challenges. At the same time, safety concerns rooted in historical disasters — Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima — have been mitigated by advances in reactor technology. A growing public recognition of nuclear power's viability has resulted. In this context, Kazakhstan's entry into the nuclear power arena is logical. Enhancing its ability to integrate uranium extraction with downstream nuclear fuel production would underscore its potential to play a central role in addressing global energy needs. By fostering international partnerships, Kazakhstan can leverage its resource wealth to become a critical supplier for advanced economies looking to diversify their energy mix. Kazakhstan's move comes at a time of shifting geoeconomic dynamics in the nuclear energy sector. Over the past three decades, Russia and China have consolidated their dominance, exploiting the West’s inertia. Russia has used NPP construction as a geoeconomic tool, creating dependence in such countries as Turkey and Uzbekistan. China, meanwhile, has aggressively developed its domestic nuclear infrastructure while securing global uranium supplies, particularly through investments in Africa and Central Asia. By contrast, Western nations have lagged behind, plagued by fragmented project management, skilled labor shortages, and political resistance. Anti-nuclear movements, many of which gained momentum during the Cold War with Soviet backing, have continued to stymie development in Europe and North America. The resulting industrial inertia has left Western economies vulnerable, with insufficient capacity to meet rising energy demands or counterbalance Russian and Chinese influence. Kazakhstan's emergence offers the West a rare opportunity to reverse this trend. The country’s multi-vector diplomatic strategy, emphasizing balanced relations with global powers, makes it an ideal partner for rebalancing energy supply chains. Kazakhstan’s role in global energy extends beyond uranium. The country’s geological resources overlap with deposits of rare-earth elements (REEs), which are vital for advanced defense technologies, renewable energy systems, and high-tech manufacturing. The shared extraction technologies and logistical infrastructure for uranium and REEs present opportunities for integrated resource development. NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program could play a pivotal role in this regard. By incorporating rare-earth mining and supply chain security into NATO’s Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection (CEIP) framework, member states could...

Energy Infrastructure U.S. TITR Nuclear Energy Middle Corridor Uranium Energy

Kazakhstan Could Save America’s Energy Future

The energy crisis gripping Europe has made clear for all to see the limits of solar and wind power. Years of investment and unbridled ambition have not created renewable sources that can deliver the consistent, large-scale energy that modern economies need. Nuclear power has emerged as the only viable solution for achieving zero-emissions energy while maintaining reliability. Europe’s urgent need to reduce its dependency on Russian gas has made all that even clearer. Meanwhile, the United States faces its own energy challenges. Its nuclear industry urgently requires a secure and stable uranium supply; yet U.S. foreign policy has largely overlooked Kazakhstan, the world’s largest uranium producer. It gets worse. No sitting U.S. president has ever visited Kazakhstan, which produces over 40% of the world’s natural uranium. Russia and China have filled this diplomatic vacuum, embedding themselves deeply in Kazakhstan’s energy sector. The United States and Europe must act decisively to build stronger ties with Kazakhstan and Central Asia, if they are to achieve energy independence by securing their nuclear futures. Europe’s dependence on Russian natural gas has been its geopolitical Achilles’ heel for decades. Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, driving home the need to diversify energy sources, has further increased that vulnerability. Nuclear power offers Europe a path to energy independence. This hinges, however, on access to uranium, of which Europe imports 97% of its supply. Moreover, much of that uranium is enriched in Russia, creating a dependency analogous to that on Russian gas. That problem can be solved by deepening cooperation with Kazakhstan, the world’s largest uranium producer. Unfortunately, Europe’s engagement with Kazakhstan has been half-hearted at best; yet the country's reserves are essential for powering Europe’s nuclear plants. Strategic investments and partnerships are needed to unlock Kazakhstan’s role as a reliable uranium supplier to Europe, but logistical hurdles and a lack of political focus have so far stymied efforts to make that happen. Kazakhstan, the world's leading uranium producer, offers the United States a critical opportunity to secure its energy and national-security needs, yet Washington has ignored this and made little effort to deepen its ties with Kazakhstan. By contrast, China sources 60% of its uranium imports from Kazakhstan, supported by investments in mining and nuclear fuel facilities. Likewise, Russia has, through Rosatom, forged strong partnerships with Kazatomprom. These efforts give Beijing and Moscow significant leverage over global uranium markets. The U.S., however, has failed to foster the political and economic relationships necessary for long-term nuclear-energy security. Kazakhstan is a particularly glaring case in point. Over the past two decades, Kazakhstan has come to account for nearly half of global uranium production, giving it a key position in the global uranium supply chain. Neighboring Uzbekistan, the fifth-largest producer, adds another 6%, and Mongolia also has significant undeveloped reserves of future potential. Yet Kazakhstan remains heavily dependent on Russian infrastructure for uranium transport and enrichment. Until the late 2024 signature of an agreement to supply nearly half of its annual uranium ore production to China through the...

China Uranium Nuclear Energy Nuclear power

Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Fuel Plant Achieves Full Production Capacity

Kazakhstan’s national uranium company, Kazatomprom, announced on January 6 that its Kazakh-Chinese joint venture, Ulba-FA LLP, achieved its design capacity of producing 200 tons of low-enriched uranium in the form of fuel assemblies by the end of 2024. Ulba-FA is the only fuel production facility for nuclear power plants in Central Asia. The joint venture is a collaboration between Kazatomprom, represented by its subsidiary Ulba Metallurgical Plant, and China General Nuclear Power Corporation. Since commencing operations in November 2021, Ulba-FA has gradually ramped up production, reaching its design capacity within three years. The 200 tons of nuclear fuel produced in 2024 are sufficient to reload six nuclear reactors. Supplying China’s Nuclear Power Plants All fuel assemblies produced at the Ulba-FA plant are currently supplied to nuclear power plants in China, underscoring the strategic partnership between the two nations in the nuclear energy sector. China and Russia remain the largest importers of Kazakh uranium. Between January and October 2023, Kazakhstan exported $2.46 billion worth of uranium, with $922.7 million directed to China and $1.2 billion to Russia. Kazatomprom solidified its position as the world’s largest uranium producer in 2023, accounting for approximately 20% of global primary uranium production.