Kazakhstan introduced in June 2025 that it will construct its first nuclear energy plant in partnership with a consortium led by Russia’s Rosatom. Virtually instantly afterward, Astana introduced that it will construct its second with China. As the form of that challenge begins to take kind, the nation’s authorities have set 2035 because the goal date for each to be accomplished.
Kazakhstan’s first nuclear energy plant is deliberate for a website close to the village of Ulken, in Almaty Area on the shore of Lake Balkhash. The second plant can even be close to Balkhash. It’s identify, Moyynkum, was revealed earlier this yr. In the meantime, Kazakhstan is contemplating two places – both within the east or west of the nation – for a 3rd nuclear energy plant.
This week, Kazakh Vitality Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov mentioned throughout a authorities briefing that “[t]he first Balkhash NPP [nuclear power plant] shall be constructed with the Russian consortium Rosatom, and the second NPP, Moyynkum, is presently being developed with the China Nationwide Nuclear Company [CNNC].”
In late October, throughout his annual state of the nation speech, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev iterated his proposal to show the nation right into a “massive building website.” This endeavor contains Astana’s nuclear energy ambitions. He referred to nuclear energy as being of “elementary significance,” and praised because the “appropriate determination” the approval of a referendum on the subject in 2024. That referendum passed off underneath heavy authorities stress on critics of nuclear energy.
Tokayev went on to notice that Kazakhstan wants extra than simply nuclear energy crops; it must develop a complete host of amenities and human capital. “You will need to have interaction overseas companions concerned within the building of nuclear energy crops, the creation of high-tech manufacturing amenities in Kazakhstan, the switch of nuclear power experience, and the coaching of home nuclear specialists,” he mentioned. “Such proposals are being acquired from Russian and Chinese language firms.”
Tokayev then mentioned that it was attainable, “maybe vital,” to start building of the Balkhash NPP in 2027 and likewise to “signal a complete cooperation settlement with the aim of promptly commencing building of the Moyynkum NPP.”
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kazakh capital to plant an oak tree within the “Alley of Everlasting Friendship between Kazakhstan and Russia,” and oversee the signing of a dozen agreements, together with a number of associated to the nuclear energy plant challenge. Amongst these agreements was one on the supply of a state export mortgage from Russia to Kazakhstan to finance the challenge.
Whereas the precise particulars of Russia’s export mortgage to Kazakhstan haven’t been revealed, it was reported that Moscow was furnishing as a lot as 85 p.c of the challenge’s financing. The Balkhash NPP contains pair of VVER-1200 III+ reactors with a mixed capability of two.4 GWe. In August 2025 survey work started on the challenge, the cost on which was said as $14-15 billion on the time. As of June 2026, that determine has grown to round $16.4 billion.
Akkenzhenov, the power minister, mentioned that the small print of the second nuclear energy plant challenge are presently underneath dialogue with China’s CNNC.
“The parameters of the challenge are presently being mentioned, together with the phrases of the deal and the timeline. We consider that the initiatives ought to be accomplished by 2035,” he mentioned.
That’s the timeline Kazakh authorities have cited beforehand for the Balkhash nuclear energy plant – building beginning in 2027 and operations starting by 2035. For Moyynkum, it appears extra of a stretch since there isn’t even a deal settled.
Earlier, when Kazakh authorities had been contemplating affords to steer the consortium for the primary plant, CNNC had proposed its HPR-1000. Also called a Hualong One, the HPR-1000 is a technology III+ pressurized water reactor like Rosatom’s VVER-1200 III+ with an analogous electrical output. Presumably that’s what’s on supply. Tengrinews reported in April, when the second plant’s identify was revealed, “It’s anticipated that the brand new NPP will encompass two energy models with a capability of 1,200 megawatts every.”
As for Kazakhstan’s third nuclear energy plant, the chairman of the nation’s Atomic Vitality Company, lmassadam Satkaliyev, mentioned on November 2 that Astana is contemplating a medium-capacity plant of 300 to 600 MW – significantly smaller than the Balkhash plant as introduced or the presumable design of the Moyynkum plant. The choices for location embody the town of Kurchatov in jap Kazakhstan’s Abai Area or someplace in western Kazakhstan, which encompasses the areas of Aktobe, Atyrau, Mangystau, and West Kazakhstan.