Construction of Kazakhstan’s 1st NPP t officially kicks off
EL.KZ Информационно-познавательный портал
Drilling works begin near the village of Ulken in Almaty region – Kazakhstan’s 1st nuclear power plant to be built using a Russian design,El.kz reports .
Drilling works have officially begun near the village of Ulken in the Almaty region, marking the start of construction on Kazakhstan’s first-ever nuclear power plant. A ceremonial event was held to commemorate this historic milestone, attended by the Head of the Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency Almassadam Satkaliyev and director general of Rosatom State Corporation Alexey Likhachev.
According to Satkaliyev, drilling has already commenced in Ulken as part of the initial phase of the project. Specialists are collecting soil samples, which will then be sent to the Russian side for analysis. The power plant itself will be built based on the design of power unit No. 6 of the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant, featuring a VVER-1200 reactor.
The total investment in the project is expected to reach $14–15 billion. An additional $21 billion is planned to be allocated by the government for the development of social infrastructure, including roads, schools, medical facilities, and utility services.
Satkaliyev emphasized that Kazakhstani industrial enterprises and research organizations are being actively involved in the implementation of the project, which in turn will create thousands of new jobs. He noted that the project holds not only energy-related but also strategic significance for the country.
Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev stated that Kazakhstan occupies a unique place in the global nuclear energy sector. According to him, the country produces around 40% of the world’s uranium and has a rich history of cooperation in the nuclear field dating back to the 1940s.
“We have offered Kazakhstan the VVER-1200 technology, which has proven its reliability and safety in several countries. Moreover, we are ready to localize up to 30% of capital investments within Kazakhstan,” Likhachev said. He also emphasized that this would stimulate the development of industries such as mechanical engineering, instrumentation, and industrial process automation within the country.
A key focus of the project will be workforce training. A branch of Russia’s National Research Nuclear University MEPhI – Rosatom’s leading university – is already operating in Almaty, where future Kazakh nuclear specialists are being trained. Students undergo internships at operational facilities in Russia.
“In 5 to 7 years, not only will a modern and safe nuclear power plant appear here, but also an entirely new garden city where people will want to move and build their lives,” Likhachev noted in closing.
The Rosatom State Corporation is heading the international consortium that will carry out the construction of the facility. While the exact timeline for completion has not yet been announced, Kazakh authorities previously stated their intention to commission the plant in the 2030s.
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