Kazakhstan explores nuclear power plant project on Caspian coast

Kazakhstan is considering the Caspian Sea coast in its western region as a potential site for a nuclear power plant.

According to the Kazakh press, Almasadam Satkaliyev, chairman of Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency, announced the plan to journalists following a briefing after a Majilis (lower house) parliamentary meeting.

“Indeed, western Kazakhstan, the Caspian coast, is being considered as a potential site for a nuclear power plant with small or medium-power reactors. The relevant studies will be conducted in the near future on the possibility of building a nuclear power plant,” Satkaliyev said.

He emphasised that these studies will carefully evaluate compliance with all safety requirements. Satkaliyev also recalled that western Kazakhstan previously hosted the world’s first experimental fast neutron reactor, BN-350, which began operations in 1973 in the city of Shevchenko (now Aktau). The reactor was decommissioned in 1999 following a government decision.

Kazakhstan’s Caspian coastline is the longest among the five countries bordering the sea, which also includes Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan.

By Tamilla Hasanova