Latest news with #NationalNuclearCorporation
India.com
21-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Not Iran, Russia to help THIS Muslim nation in its nuclear ambitions; the country is..., not Pakistan
Russia will help build a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. (File) Kazakhstan nuclear power plant: Earlier this month, Israel triggered the Israel-Iran war when it launched deadly airstrikes on Iranian cities on the pretext of Tehran being close to developing a nuclear weapon. However, there is another little-known Muslim country which has nuclear ambitions of its own, and Russia has announced open support for its nuclear endeavor. Kazakhstan to build nuclear power plant with Russia's help The country in question is Kazakhstan, a former constituent of the erstwhile Soviet Union, who is reportedly working on setting up a nuclear power plant in collaboration with Russia's state-owned nuclear energy giant Rosatom, according to officials of the Central Asian Countries Authority. Kazakhstan, one of the most resource-rich countries in Central Asia, is the world top producer of uranium, and now looks to utilize its vast uranium resources to develop its own civilian nuclear program with Russia's help. The country supplies supplying 43 percent of the world's uranium consumption, but does not have enough electricity production to meet its domestic needs. As per details, the Kazakhstan nuclear power plant was approved in 2024, and will be built in a village near Ulken near Lake Balkhash, the country's second largest lake. China and France also made bids Notably, China, France and South Korea had also tried secure the deal for the Kazakhstan nuclear power plant, but the bid was ultimately won by Russia. According to media reports, China's National Nuclear Corporation, French EDF and South Korean Hydro and Nuclear Power Company had placed bids, but Rosatom secured the deal. However, Kazakhstan officials said that these three companies will also be included in a consortium led by Rosatom. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the country aims to maintain good relations with both Russia and China, adding that Rosatom has offered to finance the entire project. Tokayev's statement comes at a time when Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Kazakhstan for the upcoming China-Central Asia Summit. Interestingly, Kazakhstan had several nuclear power plants and hosted Soviet nuclear weapons, as well as being a nuclear testing site, when it was part of the Soviet Union. However, after the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, Kazakhstan, along with other former Soviet states like Belarus and Ukraine, gave up its nuclear weapons and closed the power plants.
Euronews
16-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Rosatom and CNNC to spearhead Kazakhstan's nuclear return
Kazakhstan has chosen Russia's state nuclear firm Rosatom and China's National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to lead separate consortiums to build its first nuclear power plants. This marks the country's return to nuclear energy, as Kazakhstan has had no nuclear power facilities of its own since 1999 when its Soviet-era reactor was shut down. In a national referendum last October, nearly 70% of Kazakh voters approved constructing nuclear power facilities, a move strongly backed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Kazakhstan, one of the world's top uranium producers, currently relies mostly on coal-fired plants for power, alongside hydropower and a growing renewables sector. The nuclear project is seen as key to reducing heavy coal dependence and meeting future energy demand in an environmentally sustainable way. The nuclear project is seen as key to reducing heavy coal dependence and meeting future energy demand in an environmentally sustainable way. It will feature two Russian VVER-1200 Generation 3+ reactors. Rosatom's CEO Alexei Likhachev welcomed the decision, saying the plant will use "the most advanced and efficient design in the world." This flagship project of Kazakhstan's first commercial nuclear power station is expected to significantly improve domestic power supply and create thousands of jobs during construction and operation. It also restores nuclear generation in Kazakhstan after a 26-year pause since the BN-350 reactor's closure. Kazakhstan is adopting an "international consortium" approach, inviting multiple foreign partners to participate in its nuclear program in order to balance strategic relationships. While Rosatom will lead the first plant's consortium, officials say China's CNNC is slated to head a second nuclear plant project under a separate agreement. "China definitely has all the necessary technologies and a full industrial base, so our next priority is cooperation with China," said Almasadam Satqaliev, chairman of Kazakhstan's atomic agency. The second plant's details including its site, reactor design and timeline have yet to be clarified, but the inclusion of CNNC underscores Kazakhstan's effort to engage both of its powerful neighbours in its energy ambitions. Kazakhstan's push for nuclear energy comes amid rising electricity demand and frequent power shortages in parts of the country. The government argues that atomic power will strengthen energy security and help cut carbon emissions, leveraging Kazakhstan's abundant uranium resources for domestic benefit. "To not remain on the sidelines of global progress, we must use our competitive advantages," President Tokayev said ahead of the nuclear referendum, pointing to the country's uranium as a logical asset for power generation. At the same time, the nuclear projects highlight Kazakhstan's careful geopolitical balancing act. The decision to involve both Moscow and Beijing aligns with Astana's broader strategy of maintaining strong ties with its former Soviet patron and its giant eastern neighbour. By sharing its nuclear program between Rosatom and CNNC, Kazakhstan can reassure both Moscow and Beijing of partnership, while also diversifying its technological and financial support.
Business Recorder
14-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Russia to build Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant
ALMATY: Russian nuclear energy giant Rosatom will lead the construction of the first atomic power plant in Kazakhstan, the world's top uranium producer, the Central Asian country's authorities said on Saturday. 'Rosatom has been named as the leader of the international consortium for the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan,' the former Soviet republic's nuclear power agency said in a statement. Kazakhstan, a vast resource-rich country in Central Asia, is currently the world's top uranium producer, providing 43 percent of supplies. It does not produce enough electricity to meet domestic consumption needs. The new power plant, whose construction was approved in a referendum in late 2024, will be built near the half-abandoned village of Ulken near Balkhash Lake. The lake, located in the southeast, is the country's second largest. China's National Nuclear Corporation, France's EDF and South Korea's Hydro and Nuclear Power had all bid to build the plant. In their announcement on Saturday, the Kazakh authorities said that the three companies would be included in the consortium led by Rosatom but did not provide any details. Observers say the idea of the consortium is a way for authorities to maintain good relations with all the countries involved but is unlikely to come to fruition and Rosatom will end up building the plant by itself. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sought to keep good relations both with former colonial power Russia and with China, which borders the country to the east and finances major infrastructure projects in the region. Rosatom has proposed financing the project and work will now begin to thresh out the details, the statement said. The announcement comes a few days before Chinese leader Xi Jinping is due to visit Kazakhstan for a 'China-Central Asia' summit. Kazakhstan had nuclear power plants when it was part of the Soviet Union, in addition to hosting Soviet nuclear weapons. It was also the site for Soviet nuclear testing.
Sharjah 24
14-06-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Russia to build Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant
Announcement from Kazakh authorities "Rosatom has been named as the leader of the international consortium for the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan," the former Soviet republic's nuclear power agency said in a statement. Kazakhstan's uranium production Kazakhstan, a vast resource-rich country in Central Asia, is currently the world's top uranium producer, providing 43 percent of supplies. However, it does not produce enough electricity to meet domestic consumption needs. Location of the new power plant The new power plant, whose construction was approved in a referendum in late 2024, will be built near the half-abandoned village of Ulken near Balkhash Lake. The lake, located in the southeast, is the country's second largest. Consortium bid participants China's National Nuclear Corporation, France's EDF, and South Korea's Hydro and Nuclear Power had all bid to build the plant. In their announcement on Saturday, the Kazakh authorities said that the three companies would be included in the consortium led by Rosatom but did not provide any details. Observers' perspectives Observers say the idea of the consortium is a way for authorities to maintain good relations with all the countries involved but are skeptical that it will come to fruition, believing Rosatom will end up building the plant by itself. Kazakhstan's diplomatic relations Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sought to keep good relations both with former colonial power Russia and with China, which borders the country to the east and finances major infrastructure projects in the region. Project financing and next steps Rosatom has proposed financing the project, and work will now begin to thresh out the details, the statement said. The announcement comes a few days before Chinese leader Xi Jinping is due to visit Kazakhstan for a "China-Central Asia" summit. Historical context of nuclear power in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan had nuclear power plants when it was part of the Soviet Union, in addition to hosting Soviet nuclear weapons. It was also the site for Soviet nuclear testing. After the break-up of the USSR in 1991, the new country gave up its nuclear weapons, along with other ex-Soviet states Belarus and Ukraine; it decommissioned its nuclear power plants in the following years.
CNA
14-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Russia to build Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant
ALMATY, Kazakhstan: Russian nuclear energy giant Rosatom will lead the construction of the first atomic power plant in Kazakhstan, the world's top uranium producer, the Central Asian country's authorities said on Saturday (Jun 14). "Rosatom has been named as the leader of the international consortium for the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan," the former Soviet republic's nuclear power agency said in a statement. Kazakhstan, a vast resource-rich country in Central Asia, is currently the world's top uranium producer, providing 43 per cent of supplies. It does not produce enough electricity to meet domestic consumption needs. The new power plant, whose construction was approved in a referendum in late 2024, will be built near the half-abandoned village of Ulken near Balkhash Lake. The lake, located in the southeast, is the country's second largest. China's National Nuclear Corporation, France's EDF and South Korea's Hydro and Nuclear Power had all bid to build the plant. In their announcement on Saturday, the Kazakh authorities said that the three companies would be included in the consortium led by Rosatom but did not provide any details. Observers say the idea of the consortium is a way for authorities to maintain good relations with all the countries involved but is unlikely to come to fruition and Rosatom will end up building the plant by itself. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sought to keep good relations both with former colonial power Russia and with China, which borders the country to the east and finances major infrastructure projects in the region. Rosatom has proposed financing the project and work will now begin to thresh out the details, the statement said. The announcement comes a few days before Chinese leader Xi Jinping is due to visit Kazakhstan for a "China-Central Asia" summit. Kazakhstan had nuclear power plants when it was part of the Soviet Union, in addition to hosting Soviet nuclear weapons. It was also the site for Soviet nuclear testing. After the break-up of the USSR in 1991, the new country gave up its nuclear weapons, along with other ex-Soviet states Belarus and Ukraine.
