Kazakhstan Leverages Uranium Wealth for Nuclear Power Expansion

Kazakhstan is advancing its nuclear ambitions by leveraging its significant uranium resources and fostering strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing its energy future. As the country positions itself as a key player in the global energy landscape, it is exploring the development of nuclear power and medical innovations, with a long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

Currently, Kazakhstan holds approximately one million tonnes of uranium reserves, making it the leading producer globally. Despite this wealth, the nation does not yet utilize nuclear power for its own electricity needs, relying primarily on coal for about 70% of its energy supply. Transitioning to nuclear energy has become increasingly urgent as Kazakhstan embarks on what officials describe as its second nuclear revival.

Kazakhstan’s government plans to construct several nuclear power plants over the coming decades. The first of these, the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant, is set to be developed in partnership with Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom. This facility is expected to launch by 2035 and will feature two Generation III+ pressurized water reactors with a combined capacity of 2.4 gigawatts (GW). The selection of a site for the plant began in August 2025, focusing on a location in the seismically active Almaty region.

Asset Makhambetov, Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Agency for Atomic Energy, emphasized that the chosen reactor technology incorporates “all the passive and active safety systems needed to ensure safe and reliable operation.” In light of past nuclear disasters such as Fukushima and Chernobyl, the emphasis on safety is paramount. The agency is also collaborating with technology providers to develop strategies for minimizing radioactive waste.

Developing Nuclear Innovation Hubs

In tandem with its nuclear power expansion, Kazakhstan is nurturing an ecosystem of nuclear research and innovation. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced plans to establish two science cities in Almaty and Kurchatov that will focus on advancements in nuclear energy and medicine. The Institute of Nuclear Physics in Almaty and the National Nuclear Centre in Kurchatov will lead these initiatives.

Earlier this year, the Institute of Nuclear Physics initiated the export of technetium-99 radiopharmaceuticals to Kyrgyzstan with assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency. These materials are crucial for medical imaging, indicating Kazakhstan’s commitment to translating its nuclear expertise into public health benefits. Makhambetov noted, “Right now, we are developing the long-term strategy for nuclear industry development of Kazakhstan up to 2050.”

Kazakhstan is also working to broaden its role in the nuclear fuel cycle. Currently, the national operator, Kazatomprom, oversees uranium mining, fuel production, and technology exports. The company plans to expand its operations to include conversion and enrichment stages of the fuel cycle. This will likely bolster Kazakhstan’s position in global supply chains and enhance its competitiveness.

Despite plans to reduce uranium production by 10% next year, Kazatomprom’s CEO, Meirzhan Yussupov, remains optimistic. He stated, “We are sticking to our value-over-volume strategy. There is increasing interest in nuclear energy, given the pledge by more than 20 countries to triple their nuclear capacity by 2050.”

Kazakhstan’s uranium production primarily utilizes in-situ recovery (ISR) mining, a method that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The country has over six decades of experience in civil nuclear materials production, exporting low-enriched nuclear fuel to reactors, particularly in China.

Commitment to Peaceful Nuclear Initiatives

Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has actively championed peaceful nuclear initiatives. The country voluntarily relinquished its nuclear arsenal inherited from the Soviet Union and shut down the Semipalatinsk test site, which had been the site of more than 400 nuclear explosions. Furthermore, Kazakhstan played a significant role in establishing the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and initiated a UN resolution in 2015 aimed at the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

Kazakhstan 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 accessible to member states in case of supply disruptions. Operational since 2019, the bank currently holds 90 tonnes of uranium hexafluoride, which has yet to be utilized.

According to Alexander Khodanov, Sales Director of the Ulba Metallurgical Plant, safety measures ensure that radiation levels remain within permissible limits, preventing any adverse environmental impact. Kazakhstan’s commitment to safe nuclear practices, combined with its strategic advancements in nuclear energy, positions it as a pivotal player in the global nuclear landscape.

Through these comprehensive efforts — from reactor design to international collaboration and research innovation — Kazakhstan is setting the stage for a robust nuclear future, contributing to global energy security and the advancement of medical technologies.