ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 13. Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, on his working trip to the Abai region of Kazakhstan, took the bull by the horns and checked the progress of the implementation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s instructions on the development of energy and the creation of a nuclear cluster, Trend reports.
During an aerial survey of the former Semipalatinsk test site, Bektenov inspected the objects of the "Balapan" test site, including the "Atomic Lake" and the mine launch pads. The Prime Minister also familiarized himself with the operation of the "Baikal-1" research nuclear reactor, the world’s first specialized tokamak (a toroidal chamber with magnetic coils), and visited the National Nuclear Center, where he held a meeting on energy security issues.
At the "Baikal-1" complex, Bektenov received a comprehensive overview of the pivotal domains of nuclear reactor research being executed at the facility.
Attention was given to the operation of the RWGR.1M research reactor, used for scientific developments in nuclear energy and energy technologies. An important stage is the completion of the conversion of the RWGR.1M reactor (Research Water-Graphite Reactor, Modification 1) to low-enriched fuel. This initiative is fully supported by the IAEA. In the near future, the modernization of the RWGR.1M reactor will be completed to achieve its design specifications.
In the course of his inspection of the unique experimental thermonuclear installation, the SFM (Short-term Fusion Module Tokamak, the Prime Minister got acquainted with the main equipment and the results of ongoing research. This is the world’s first specialized facility of its kind, commissioned in the last 10 years.
At the National Nuclear Center (NNC) office, Bektenov was informed about key projects in the peaceful use of atomic energy. The center is a leading research organization specializing in nuclear safety, atomic energy, and radiation ecology.
A meeting on energy security issues was also held here under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. Vice Minister of Energy Sungat Yesimkhanov, Managing Director of "Samruk-Kazyna" Yernat Berdigulov, and the General Director of the RSE (Republican State Enterprise) "National Nuclear Center" Yerlan Batyrbekov reported on the preparations for the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant.
The Ministry of Energy is developing the Nuclear Industry Development Strategy until 2050, which will cover plans for the construction of subsequent nuclear power plants and the development of other areas necessary for the effective implementation of the nuclear energy program.
"President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has set us an important task of developing energy and creating a nuclear cluster. Kazakhstan is a leader in uranium exports with a 43 percent share of the global market. We have experience with research reactors and a strong scientific potential. The transition to a full nuclear fuel cycle will ensure progress in all sectors of the economy," said Olzhas Bektenov.
Subsequent to the convening, the head of government disseminated a series of directives to the executive leadership of the pertinent ministries.