France Seeks Role in Kazakhstan’s Second Nuclear Plant

Despite China’s CNNC being viewed as the leading candidate for Kazakhstan’s second nuclear power plant, France has not abandoned hopes of joining the international consortium. At the same time, Paris rejects any cooperation with Rosatom on the first nuclear plant, Orda.kz reports.

In an interview, French Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiguet said Électricité de France is interested in participating in the consortium for the construction of Kazakhstan’s two planned nuclear power plants.

We know that there is a project to build some stations in Kazakhstan, including stations being built by China, so we are considering the possibility, if it comes up, of supplying some parts of the equipment for these stations,
 he said.

Guiguet believes that because the consortium is international, the expertise of the French company should also be taken into account.

The reason, he said, is the war in Ukraine.

Everyone understands that France, as well as the European Union as a whole, is extremely sensitive to Russia and, consequently, Rosatom. The government of Kazakhstan is aware of our high sensitivity on this matter,
 Guiguet noted.

China is also expected to build Kazakhstan’s third nuclear power plant.

Original Author: Correspondent