ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 29. Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant could be completed within eight years, Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev announced during a briefing, Trend reports.
"Based on international experience, the design phase for large-scale projects typically takes two to three years, sometimes longer. Construction itself, from the first concrete pour, can take eight to ten years. In total, the first unit of a nuclear power plant usually takes 10 to 12 years to build, assuming there are no major risks," Satkaliyev explained. However, he emphasized that advancements in nuclear technology could help accelerate the timeline. "We will challenge potential partners to shorten this timeframe so that we can complete the project within eight years," he added.
Kazakhstan is also considering the construction of at least three nuclear power plants to fully develop its nuclear industry. "Kazakhstan already produces pumping equipment for nuclear plants and has a broad industrial base. To fully capitalize on our country's advantages, we estimate that at least three nuclear power plants are needed".
The minister stressed that strict oversight of the construction process will be ensured by both national regulatory bodies and international organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Earlier, Deputy Energy Minister Sungat Esimkhanov announced that a preliminary decision on selecting a vendor for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant project is expected in the first half of this year.
"We are currently in negotiations with potential vendors. By May or June, we will have initial information on which vendors we will be working with," Esimkhanov said.
On October 6, 2024, Kazakhstan held a referendum on building a nuclear power plant, with 71.12% of voters supporting the project.