Kyrgyzstan yet to decide on low-capacity NPP, will look at Rosatom's proposals - ministry

BISHKEK. Nov 24 (Interfax) - A final decision on the construction of a low-capacity nuclear power plant in Kyrgyzstan has not yet been reached, the country's Energy Ministry said in a statement.

"Kyrgyzstan will look closely at the technology proposed by Rosatom and its safety and conduct the necessary appraisals. Environmental safety will also be reviewed," it said.

A pre-feasibility study will assess whether a nuclear power plant can be built in Kyrgyzstan. "After that, the issue will be submitted for public discussion. In world practice nuclear power plants are now being built using modern technologies, there will be no harm to the population, agriculture and water resources located near the plant," the ministry said.

The Rosatom group's Rusatom Energy Projects and Kyrgyzstan's Energy Ministry on November 22 signed terms of reference during Atomexpo 2022 for a preliminary feasibility study to build a low-power nuclear power plant in Kyrgyzstan.

The parties expressed an interest in developing cooperation in the construction of nuclear power plants on the basis of the RITM-200N reactor.

Kyrgyz Deputy Energy Minister Tilek Aitaliyev said during at Expo-2020 in Dubai that his country was interested in building small nuclear plants. Rosatom discussed a program with Kyrgyzstan at the beginning of this year for the reclamation of territories affected by uranium mining, as well as prospects for broader cooperation on nuclear technology and related topics.