Referendum on nuclear power plant construction may be held in Kazakhstan in autumn - ministry

ASTANA. June 6 (Interfax) - A referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan might be held this autumn, the Deputy Energy Minister Sungat Yesimkhanov said.

"The leadership [of the country] will decide. Perhaps, yes [in the autumn]," Yesimkhanov said on the sidelines of the Senate, answering a question about the timing of the referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant.

He recalled that explanatory work is currently being carried out in the regions of the country, which will be completed in the fall of 2024.

"In general, the survey of respondents shows that 55%-57% of the population supports [the construction of a nuclear power plant]. This work must be continued. We provide the population with information regarding ecology, energy and safety," the deputy minister said.

In September 2023, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed holding a referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country. In his opinion, Kazakhstan, being one of the largest uranium producers in the world, should have its own nuclear generation.

Based on previous studies, the territory of the village of Ulken, Almaty region, was selected as the preferred area for the construction of a nuclear power plant. Water from Lake Balkhash will be used to cool the station.

The project to build a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan will be implemented by an international pool of investors. According to the Energy Ministry, the work may take up to 10 years. The cost of construction of the nuclear power plant is estimated at $10-12 billion.