Kazakhstan engages South Korea for potential nuclear power plant consortium

Kazakhstan's Minister of Energy, Almasadam Satkaliyev, recently conducted discussions in Seoul regarding the possible participation of South Korean companies in an international consortium aimed at constructing nuclear power plants in the country.

The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan announced that the minister met with representatives from various Korean firms to explore their potential involvement in this consortium, which is being considered as a viable model for the nuclear power plant project, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The final decision on this partnership is anticipated to be made in 2025.

This dialogue follows a referendum held on October 6, where Kazakh citizens overwhelmingly supported the construction of the nation's first nuclear power plant. President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the need for an international consortium composed of leading global companies with advanced technologies to facilitate this significant project.

In evaluating suppliers for nuclear technology, Kazakhstan is considering several contenders, including the Chinese company CNNC, South Korea’s KHNP, Russia’s Rosatom, and France’s EDF. The proposed site for the new nuclear power plant is in Ulken village, located within the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region.

During the referendum, more than 7.8 million people participated, representing 63.66% of eligible voters. A notable 71.12% of those who cast their votes supported the nuclear power plant's construction, while 2,045,271 individuals opposed it. In Ulken village, which has been identified as the preferred location for the facility, 956 out of 1,066 voters were in favour of the project. The referendum also saw a total of 82,729 ballots cast as valid but not counted toward the final tally, while 130,267 ballots were deemed invalid.

The referendum was recognized as valid since it achieved over 50% voter participation, a requirement for making a binding decision on the proposed issue. Leonid Anfimov, the head of the observer mission from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), noted that the process adhered to legal standards and was organized effectively.

Similarly, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) acknowledged the referendum as free and legitimate, with Deputy Secretary General Oleg Kopylov leading their observer mission.

The construction of nuclear power plants is part of Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to diversify its energy sources and meet growing domestic demand.

By Tamilla Hasanova