NPP to become core project of Kazakh-Russian energy cooperation - Tokayev

11 Nov 2025 11:46 NPP to become core project of Kazakh-Russian energy cooperation - Tokayev ASTANA. Nov 11 (Interfax) - The construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant will be a core project in bilateral energy cooperation, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said. Energy holds a special place in bilateral cooperation, Tokayev said in his Eternal Friendship Is a Guiding Star for Our Peoples article, published by the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper on Tuesday. "Our combined efforts ensure continuous transit of Russian energy to China and Central Asian states. We are building and upgrading major energy facilities. The construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant by an international consortium led by Rosatom will definitely be a core project in this area," he said. "Building the NPP will enable our country to develop a full nuclear fuel cycle, from mining uranium to generating electricity. Besides, the project unlocks new opportunities for transfer of technologies, training of specialists, creation of jobs and development of associated industries, such as mechanical engineering and instrument making," Tokayev said. Kazakh citizens approved construction of the nuclear power plant at a referendum in 2024. Rosatom will build the first NPP in Kazakhstan. The Russian company and Kazakhstan have signed a roadmap for building two VVER-1200 reactor units. The construction will take about 11 years and may be completed in 2035-2036. A Russian state export loan is being considered as the source of funding. Up to 10,000 specialists will build the plant, and about 2,000 will be operating it. The Nuclear Energy Agency held a contest to choose the plant's name. Survey started near Ulken in the Balkhash area on August 8. During the preliminary explorations, Rosatom specialists will examine at least three sites in the Zhambyl region by drilling 50 wells with a depth of 30 to 120 meters. The NPP location will be chosen with due account of hydro-geological features of the terrain, seismic stability and other parameters.