Kazakhstan to begin construction of first nuclear plant in 2027, Tokayev says

Kazakhstan will begin construction of its first nuclear power plant in 2027, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Tuesday (June 30), describing the decision to build the facility as a milestone for the country's long-term energy security and economic development.

Speaking at a joint session of Kazakhstan's two-chamber parliament, Tokayev said the project reflected the outcome of the 2024 referendum in which voters backed the construction of the country's first nuclear power plant, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

"Kazakhstan is the world's leading producer of uranium and possesses nuclear infrastructure. Therefore, the choice in favour of nuclear power generation is absolutely the right one. This decision, made by the people during the historic 2024 referendum, is, in essence, of civilisational significance," he said.

Tokayev said the plant would guarantee Kazakhstan's energy sovereignty and provide a reliable foundation for the energy-intensive digital economy of the future.

Construction of the plant, known as Balkhash, is scheduled to begin next year, he added.

Kazakhstan selected Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom in 2025 to lead the international consortium that will build the country's first nuclear power plant.

During Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to Kazakhstan in May, Rosatom Chief Executive Alexey Likhachev said the company expected construction work to start in 2027. Kazakhstan's Atomic Energy Agency later said it also planned to launch construction next year.