Russia and Kazakhstan on Thursday signed a landmark agreement to build the first nuclear power plant in the Central Asian nation, marking a major step in Astana’s long-discussed push towards atomic energy. The deal was signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Kazakhstan, where he held talks with PresidentKassym-Jomart Tokayevin the capital, Astana.
“The agreement signed today on the construction of the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant has great significance,” Tokayev said during the meeting. He also thanked Putin for Russia’s support in implementing what he described as a “large-scale project”.
As part of the agreement, according to a report by Reuters, Russia will also provide Kazakhstan with export credit financing for the project. According to Kazakhstan’s nuclear energy agency, Moscow is expected to finance nearly 85% of the estimated $15 billion cost of the plant.
The proposed nuclear facility will be built near the village of Ulken on the shores of Lake Balkhash in southeastern Kazakhstan and will include two nuclear reactors.
Kazakhstan, the world’s largest producer of uranium, has debated the introduction of nuclear power for more than two decades. Despite its vast uranium reserves, the country has remained cautious due to the lasting trauma caused by Soviet-era nuclear testing, which left deep environmental and public health scars.
In 2024, Kazakhstan voted in favour of constructing a nuclear power plant through a national referendum, paving the way for the current agreement with Russia.
The country, home to around 20.5 million people, aims to develop 2.4 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity by 2035 as part of its long-term energy strategy and efforts to diversify power generation.
Megha Rawat is an Assistant News Editor at Times Now, where she drives the national news narrative with sharp political reporting, election coverage a...View More
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