Kazakh PM, Russia's Rosatom CEO discuss forming consortium to build NPP, Kazakh content in its materials

ASTANA. Aug 11 (Interfax) - Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has met with Russia's Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev after the start of engineering and survey works prior to the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan, the press service for the Kazakh government said.

The parties discussed the mechanisms of ensuring the Kazakh content in goods and services, using the domestic equipment and materials, as well as involving personnel and exchanging experience, during the meeting, the press service said. Issues dealing with localization of the nuclear fuel cycle processes were raised. In addition, the practical aspects of forming an international consortium to use leading Kazakh and foreign partners were addressed.

The Russian side reiterated its readiness to cooperate with suppliers from Kazakhstan and other countries, ensuring appropriate cooperation during the NPP's construction, it said.

Bektenov emphasized that the Kazakh president is monitoring the construction of the plant, and the Kazakh government will provide necessary assistance in the implementation of the project.

On August 8, specialists of Rosatom's engineering department started drilling the first exploration well and selecting soil samples on the future construction site of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant near the Ulken village of the Almaty district.

At least 50 wells from 30 to 120 meters will be drilled as part of this survey effort. The decision on the NPP's exact location will be made based on obtained information. Engineering surveys will take about 18 months.

Rosatom will build Kazakhstan's first NPP. The Russian company signed a roadmap with Kazakhstan to build two VVER-1200 nuclear power units. Construction will take approximately 11 years and is expected to be finished in 2035-2036. State export financing from Russia is being arranged for the first NPP, which, according to the Kazak Nuclear Energy Agency, will cost $14 billion. Another $1 billion is needed to build the adjacent infrastructure.

Three NPPs are planned under the national nuclear cluster project. The Kazakh government said that the China National Nuclear Corporation could build the second and third NPPs.