Kazakhstan Launches Construction of Its First Nuclear Power Plant

The construction of Kazakhstan’s first Nuclear Power Plant officially began today near the village of Ulken in the Almaty Region. The Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that the country will begin producing its own nuclear fuel, which will be used at the new facility, Orda.kz reports.

The project will be carried out by the Russian state corporation Rosatom. A model of the future plant was presented at the launch ceremony.

The event was attended by Atomic Energy Agency head Almasadam Satkaliyev, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, representatives of the Ministry of Energy, officials, students, and local elders.

The Nuclear Power Plant project is being implemented with broad public support. More than 70% of the country’s population backed the initiative in a national referendum last year. The example of Ulken is especially telling — 97% of residents took part in the referendum, and over 90% voted in favor. This gave the project a strong public mandate, Satkaliyev said.

Our journalists captured the symbolic moment when Satkaliyev and Likhachev pressed the button together, officially launching construction.

Representatives of the Atomic Energy Agency confirmed to Orda.kz that Kazakhstan will produce its own nuclear fuel, and the first plant will run on it.

The project’s preliminary cost is about $14 billion. 

Original Author: Nikita Drobny