Kazakhstan has approved plans for a second nuclear power plant in a significant scaling up of the country's nuclear ambitions. It comes a year after a referendum, which suggested more than 71 per cent support for the project, but which was also accompanied by allegations of irregularities.
Now, just over a year after the 2024 vote, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev says the country would ultimately require three such nuclear facilities, arguing that the creation of a new nuclear energy sector is both strategically important for Kazakhstan and necessary to provide a durable foundation for economic development in the decades ahead. The referendum itself, however, was marred by claims of irregularities, a factor that continues to inform public debate on the issue.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov signed a government decree authorising the project in the Zhambyl district of Almaty Region. The decision entered into force on 26 January, confirming both the selected location and the government’s intention to proceed with more than one nuclear power project to help address regional power shortages and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The move reflects a strategic approach that has been developing over several years. In January last year, President Tokayev instructed the government, together with the sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna, to elaborate a comprehensive vision for the development of the nuclear sector. He stressed the importance of careful assessment, modern and safe technologies and a well-considered choice of sites for future power stations. At that time, officials did not rule out the possibility that a second plant could be built in parallel with the first, a scenario that is now being translated into formal policy.
Energy imbalances within the country remain a key driver of the decision. The south of Kazakhstan continues to experience electricity shortages and relies heavily on power transmitted from the northern regions. At the time, then energy minister Almasadam Satkaliyev said that locating a second nuclear facility in the Zhambyl district was intended to address this structural deficit and strengthen the stability of the national grid, particularly in areas where demand was rising most rapidly.
Preparatory work on the first nuclear power plant is already under way. In the vicinity of the village of Ulken, on the shores of Lake Balkhash, engineering and geological surveys are being carried out as part of the Balqash nuclear power project. Actual construction, however, is not expected to begin before 2029, when the foundation is scheduled to be laid. The project is estimated to cost between $14 and $15 billion, with Russia’s state-owned corporation Rosatom selected as the lead company within an international consortium.
At the same time, the framework for the second nuclear project is becoming clearer. In June 2025, Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency announced the outcome of its selection process, naming China National Nuclear Corporation as the preferred leader of the consortium for the second plant, while Rosatom was designated for the first one. This choice has been reinforced politically: during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Astana in June 2025, President Tokayev described China National Nuclear Corporation as a reliable strategic partner in the field of nuclear energy. In the longer term, the Chinese company is also expected to play a leading role in the construction of a third nuclear power station.
Criticism and concern persist alongside official assurances. Environmental groups warn that nuclear power plants could pose risks to nearby water resources, particularly Lake Balkhash, and underline the vulnerability of local ecosystems. Political analysts and civil society representatives have also expressed unease about the geopolitical dimension of the programme, suggesting that the involvement of Russia in the first project could increase Kazakhstan’s dependence on its northern neighbour. The authorities maintain that engaging multiple international partners, including China, is intended to diversify both technological and political risks.
In this context, the decision to proceed with a second nuclear power plant represents more than a technical or infrastructural choice. It marks a broader shift in Kazakhstan’s energy policy, as the country moves away from heavy reliance on coal and other fossil fuels, and positions nuclear power as a cornerstone of its future energy mix.
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported...
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast that left a man seriously injured and prompted calls online for a protest after footag...
The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan's relative stability may not be sustainable unless the country's current authorities change policies af...
Iran's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad arrived in Mexico wearing badges bearing the hashtag "168" in memory of victims of the deadly Minab school missile st...
Chinese President Xi Jinping is wrapping up a two-day state visit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. It was his first trip to the cou...
Kazakhstan will require major businesses to introduce five-year water-saving plans as authorities warn that worsening shortages could threaten not only the environment but also the country's economy.
For much of the post-Soviet era, Russia and Kazakhstan have maintained one of Eurasia’s most stable bilateral relationships. Deep economic ties, shared history and strategic geography continue to bind the two neighbours together, but Astana is increasingly pursuing a more independent path.
Kazakhstan has invited Cyprus to take an active role in the Trans-Caspian transport route, with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev saying closer cooperation could link Kazakhstan’s land infrastructure with Cyprus’s maritime network and boost trade between Central Asia and the Mediterranean.
Kazakhstan has used a high-level visit by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee to promote itself as a gateway to Central Asia, offering investors access to industrial projects worth more than $100 billion and a growing regional market.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party has won the Armenian elections, picking up nearly half the vote. With a majority in parliament, Pashinyan is set for a third term as Prime Minister. But an opposition politican has said he will challenge the election results.
The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections will determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone. Here's how it works.
Barcelona is preparing to mark a historic milestone in the legacy of architect Antoni Gaudí as Pope Leo XIV visits the city this week to inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família basilica, almost exactly 100 years after the visionary architect’s death.
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast that left a man seriously injured and prompted calls online for a protest after footage of the incident circulated widely on social media.
Iran and Israel have halted strikes on each other, but Tehran has warned it will recommence attacks if Israel continues military action in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun have meanwhile made pleas for peace.
The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan's relative stability may not be sustainable unless the country's current authorities change policies affecting women, the economy and regional security.
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported that Trump had privately told Benjamin Netanyahu “be careful, or you will be on your own very soon”.
Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia signed the Istanbul Declaration on Monday, reaffirming their commitment to stronger regional cooperation, connectivity and stability across the South Caucasus.
Uzbekistan and Russia have agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture, energy and food security following high-level meetings held during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that the U.S. would bear direct responsibility for any escalation in West Asia after Iran and Israel resumed strikes for the first time since the April ceasefire.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment