Kazakhstan and South Korea Discuss Nuclear Plant Partnership

Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev led a delegation to South Korea to advance collaboration in nuclear energy, renewables, and oil and gas. Meetings included top Korean firms, with plans for a nuclear plant consortium and a focus on energy security by 2035.

Between October 22 and 25, Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev headed a delegation visiting South Korea, where they engaged in discussions with Korean energy leaders and government representatives.

Discussions focused on nuclear power collaboration, and further talks with South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy explored expanding partnerships in oil, gas, and renewables.

Satkaliev also met with key companies, including Doosan Enerbility, KHNP, KEPCO, KNOC, and Samsung C&T, to consider involving Korean firms in an international consortium for Kazakhstan's planned nuclear power plant. The final decision on this consortium is anticipated by 2025.

The visit concluded with a memorandum of understanding with Doosan Enerbility, outlining plans to assess establishing a local office in Astana. The company is also working on a 1000 MW gas turbine plant in Turkestan and auditing Kazakhstan's energy infrastructure with KEPCO KPS to enhance efficiency and lower emissions.

Following a national referendum supporting nuclear power, President Tokayev has advocated for an international consortium involving top companies like Russia’s Rosatom, South Korea’s KHNP, France’s EDF, and China’s CNNC. This project aims to boost Kazakhstan's energy security, with construction expected by Lake Balkhash and completion targeted for 2035.

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