"Task assigned": Kazakhstan begins the search for a site for its third nuclear power plant.

During a briefing at the Ministry of Energy, Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev announced that the department has been tasked with finding a site not only for the second nuclear power plant but also for a third one in Kazakhstan, according to a report from NUR.KZ.

https://www.nur.kz/politics/kazakhstan/2216295-nam-dali-poruchenie-v-kazahstane-nachali-iskat-ploshchadku-dlya-tretey-aes/2025-01-30 08:28:18

The Minister of Energy highlighted that as part of the comprehensive plan for the development of the nuclear cluster in Kazakhstan, at least 3 nuclear power plants (NPPs) are needed. He was asked where the third NPP came from, especially since just yesterday during an expanded government meeting with the president, the prime minister stated that the search for a site for the second NPP would begin.

"Yes, we have already started (the search for the site for the 3rd NPP - ed.). We have been tasked, as you know, to prepare a concept for the development of the nuclear cluster in Kazakhstan, which implies implementation by 2050. I am confident that this could be quite a serious undertaking that involves initial planning," - said Minister Almasadam Satkaliev.

The minister was asked which regions could potentially host the NPPs.

"In principle, any site can be used; previously, the state commission identified 2 sites. There is Balkhash, where it is possible to accommodate up to 6 blocks. There is the site in Kurchatov and other promising sites. We will study all of them."

"We will also consider Aktau. Perhaps (in Stepnogorsk - ed.) we will take a look. This depends on the technologies. We will be looking at both Eastern and Western Kazakhstan, certainly," - stated Satkaliev.

The minister was asked how the agreement on the NPP would proceed with other countries if the Caspian coast is chosen as a site.

"We are only looking at it as a potential site, and you are already asking about agreements with other states (ed.). Kazakhstan, if it builds an NPP, regardless of where, in any region, will obtain all the necessary agreements with neighboring countries and with the IAEA," - he added.

It is worth noting that yesterday, during an expanded government meeting with the participation of the president, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reported that the analysis of regions for identifying possible locations for the construction of the second NPP in Kazakhstan is nearing completion.

After hearing the report, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed to expedite the construction of the first NPP in Kazakhstan and also to determine the site for the second NPP.

Additionally, today, Minister of Energy Almasadam Satkaliev explained in the Mazhilis the principles that will guide the selection of vendors for the construction of the NPP.

Later, he also commented on the reduction of construction timelines for the NPP. "There will be quite serious monitoring from the IAEA and other organizations. There are stringent environmental, fire safety, and other requirements. Overall, we believe that the quality of construction should not suffer from the reduction in construction timelines," - he pointed out.