In 2029, the construction of the first nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan is expected to begin, with a consortium led by Rosatom responsible for its design and construction. This was reported to journalists by the chairman of the Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency, Almasadam Satkaliyev, as conveyed by TASS.
Satkaliyev noted that the term "first concrete" for nuclear workers will only become relevant after the completion of surveys. According to him, the start of construction work depends on the specifics of the equipment chosen for the project. "It is still difficult to say the exact timing for the start of construction, but we are aiming for 2029," he added, commenting on questions about the timelines.
He also reported on the current progress of the survey work being conducted in the Almaty region, near the village of Ulken. "Rosatom" is successfully carrying out project and survey work, during which about 50 wells have been drilled, and soil samples have been taken for analysis. Studies have been conducted at 2,000 points for the presence of radionuclides, as well as hydrological and topographic analyses of the area, and two hydrological posts have been established," Satkaliyev added.
According to his forecasts, the completion of the surveys is scheduled for about 18 months, after which the authorities of the republic will be able to obtain the final scheme for the future NPP.
The decision to build the station was made after a referendum held in the fall of 2024. This year, the authorities of Kazakhstan announced that Rosatom had become the leader of the consortium for its construction. In November, a name for the station was chosen through online voting — "Balhash," which coincides with the name of the lake located near the site where the NPP is planned to be built.
