Construction work on Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant should begin in 2027 - Tokayev

ASTANA. Oct 28 (Interfax) - Construction work on Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant (NPP), Balkhash NPP, should begin next year, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

"I believe it is possible, and perhaps even necessary to start building Balkhash NPP next year and to sign a comprehensive cooperation agreement to begin building Moynkum NPP as soon as possible," Tokayev said in his annual address to the nation on Wednesday.

He said that nuclear power generation was of fundamental importance to Kazakhstan.

"Following the nationwide referendum, the right decision was made to build nuclear power plants, and several of them at once," Tokayev said. "We now need to start thinking about how we'll supply them with uranium, say, 50 years from now and beyond. I think the proposal to create a state strategic uranium reserve deserves serious consideration. It would cover the needs of Kazakhstan's plants for the next century."

He said it was important to get the foreign partners who are helping to build the plants involved in the establishment of high-tech industries in Kazakhstan, transferring expertise in the field of nuclear energy and training Kazakh nuclear specialists.

"We have been receiving such proposals from Russian and Chinese companies [...] Of course, every negotiating position has to be worked out carefully and agreed upon with Kazakhstan's national interests in mind," he said.

Kazakhstan plans to build several nuclear power plants. Russia's Rosatom will build the first, Balkhash. A road map for the construction of two VVER-1200 reactor units was signed in 2025. The plants are expected to take around 11 years to build and could be completed in 2035-2036. Surveying work near the village of Ulken on Lake Balkhash began on Aug 8, 2025.

The second plant, Moynkum, will have two 1,200-MW units and will also be built on Lake Balkhash. China's CNPC is being considered as the priority partner.

Sites for two more plants are being examined.