Kazakhstan nuclear power plant project moving ahead
The Zhambyl district of Almaty region has been selected by the Kazakhstan government as the location for its proposed nuclear power plant, with ministers saying the aim is to select a technology supplier this year.
According to a decree officially published on the Minister of Justice's website, a government decision was made on 30 December on the construction area, with the resolution entering into force "on the day of its first official publication".
Kazakhstan has well-developed plans for new nuclear, with more than 71% of people who voted in a referendum in October answering yes to the question: "Do you agree with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan?"
In an update on Wednesday, the Ministry of Energy reported that Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev said a national strategy for the nuclear industry up to 2050 was under development. He added that, following the decision on the proposed facility's location, in 2025 "it is planned to select a technology supplier (or consortium) for the construction of a nuclear power plant, as well as conclude an intergovernmental agreement and relevant contracts".
There are reported to be four technology suppliers being considered - China National Nuclear Corporation (HPR-1000), France's EDF (EPR1200), Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (APR-1000/APR-1400) and Russia's Rosatom (VVER-1200 reactor).
Background
Kazakhstan is the world's leading producer of uranium. Although it does not currently use nuclear energy, it is not without nuclear experience: it has three operating research reactors, and a Russian-designed BN-350 sodium-cooled fast reactor operated near Aktau for 26 years, until 1999.
Kazakhstan has been preparing for a possible nuclear power programme to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, diversify its energy mix and reduce CO2 emissions for some time. Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), a subsidiary of Kazakhstan's Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund JSC, was set up in 2014. As well as being designated as the owner/operator of a future plant, KNPP is tasked with pre-project work including a feasibility study to justify the need for nuclear power - carried out in 2018 - and locating a site.
A site at Ulken, on the shores of Lake Balkhash, has been identified as the most suitable location. The proposed first nuclear power plant would be a large reactor but there are also options for using small modular reactors to replace retiring coal plants in the years to come and a second large plant is being considered with the government's target being for nuclear to produce a 5% share of the national generation mix by 2035.
_92619.jpg)
_84504.jpg)
