Kazakhstan advances nuclear ambitions with potential third plant by China

Kazakhstan is considering deepening its nuclear energy partnership with China, with plans potentially underway for the construction of a third nuclear power plant (NPP) by a Chinese company, First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar stated.

Sklyar made the announcement during a press conference, suggesting that the same Chinese firm involved in Kazakhstan’s second planned NPP—China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)—may also lead the development of the third facility, Caliber.Az reports per Kazakh media.

“Also now our colleagues from the Atomic Energy Agency are working out locations,” Sklyar noted, indicating that site selection for the prospective project is already in progress.

On July15, Sklyar announced that the feasibility study for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is currently underway and will form the basis for determining the project's overall cost.

He noted that the final cost of the plant will be established only after the completion of the feasibility study and the development of detailed design and estimate documentation, emphasizing that accurate financial projections require comprehensive technical and economic assessments.

By Vafa Guliyeva