Kazakhstan Accelerates Nuclear Initiatives to Secure Energy Future

Kazakhstan is making significant strides in developing its nuclear energy sector, aiming to enhance its energy future while promoting carbon neutrality by 2060. The country, rich in uranium reserves, is leveraging its resources and strategic partnerships to embark on a new phase of nuclear power generation and medical innovations. Despite being the world’s leading producer of uranium, with reserves estimated at around one million tonnes, Kazakhstan currently does not generate any nuclear power for its grid.

As global interest in nuclear energy rises, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a pivotal player in the sector. The Central Asian nation is entering what officials refer to as its second nuclear revival, following the shutdown of the Soviet-era BN-350 fast reactor near Aktau in 1999, which is now under decommissioning. In response to its reliance on coal for approximately 70% of its electricity, the government has announced plans to construct multiple nuclear power plants over the coming decades.

Collaborative Nuclear Projects

Kazakhstan’s first nuclear facility, the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant, is being developed in collaboration with Russia’s Rosatom. This project is expected to commence operations by 2035 and will feature two Generation III+ pressurized water reactors with a combined capacity of 2.4 gigawatts. Currently, site selection is underway in the seismically active Almaty region, with the government focusing on ensuring the safety of the chosen location near the village of Ulken.

Asset Makhambetov, Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Agency for Atomic Energy, emphasizes that the selected technology incorporates advanced safety measures designed to prevent accidents similar to those at Fukushima and Chernobyl. Additionally, the agency is collaborating with technology providers to implement effective radioactive waste management strategies.

Kazakhstan is also pursuing projects with Chinese partners, with details still in negotiation. These initiatives aim to diversify the country’s energy mix and enhance its long-term energy sustainability.

Scientific and Technological Advancements

In tandem with its nuclear energy ambitions, Kazakhstan is fostering a supportive ecosystem for nuclear research and innovation. Earlier this year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced plans to establish two science cities in Almaty and Kurchatov, focused on nuclear energy and medical applications. The Institute of Nuclear Physics in Almaty and the National Nuclear Centre in Kurchatov will spearhead these efforts.

The Institute of Nuclear Physics has already begun exporting technetium-99 radiopharmaceuticals to Kyrgyzstan, in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency. These radiopharmaceuticals play a crucial role in medical imaging, highlighting Kazakhstan’s intent to translate its nuclear expertise into wider public benefits. Makhambetov notes that the country is currently developing a comprehensive long-term strategy for its nuclear industry, extending to 2050.

Kazakhstan’s national operator, Kazatomprom, plays a pivotal role in managing the nuclear fuel cycle, encompassing exploration, mining, and fuel fabrication. The company is now considering expanding its operations to include conversion and enrichment processes, further solidifying Kazakhstan’s position within global nuclear supply chains. While Kazatomprom seeks to expand its resource base through new mining licenses, it plans to reduce uranium production by 10% next year, a decision underscored by CEO Meirzhan Yussupov’s emphasis on a value-over-volume strategy.

Yussupov remains optimistic about the future of nuclear energy, noting the growing interest from more than 20 countries committing to triple their nuclear capacity by 2050. He points out that there is an increasing demand for energy from the tech sector and analysts forecast a structural deficit in uranium supply over the next decade.

Kazakhstan’s competitive edge lies in its extensive reserves that are well-suited for in-situ recovery (ISR) mining, a method that is more cost-effective and less invasive than traditional extraction techniques. With over six decades of experience in civil nuclear material and fuel production, Kazakhstan also exports low-enriched nuclear fuel to reactors in China. The fuel is manufactured at Kazatomprom’s Ulba Metallurgical Plant, which achieved its full production capacity of 200 tonnes last year.

Commitment to Peaceful Nuclear Initiatives

Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has actively pursued peaceful nuclear initiatives. The country voluntarily relinquished its inherited nuclear arsenal from the Soviet Union and closed the Semipalatinsk test site, which witnessed over 400 nuclear explosions. Additionally, Kazakhstan played a crucial role in establishing the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and initiated a UN General Assembly resolution in 2015 aimed at the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

Kazakhstan also hosts the world’s Low Enriched Uranium Bank at the Ulba Metallurgical Plant, managed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This facility serves as a reserve of reactor-grade uranium, designed to assist member states in case of supply disruptions. Operational since 2019, the bank currently stores 90 tonnes of uranium hexafluoride, supplied by Kazakhstan and France, and has yet to be utilized.

Through its comprehensive approach—spanning safe reactor design, international collaboration, and innovation in nuclear research—Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a key player in the global nuclear energy landscape. As the nation advances its nuclear projects, it aims to not only enhance its energy security but also contribute positively to international nuclear governance and public health.