ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 5. CNNC (China, HPR-1000 reactor), Rosatom State Corporation (Russia, VVER-1200 and VVER-1000 reactors), KHNP (South Korea, APR-1400 reactor), and EDF (France, EPR-1200 reactor) are being considered as potential suppliers for the construction of nuclear power plants in Kazakhstan, Trend reports.
This was announced during the meeting of the Public Council on the fuel and energy complex at the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan.
Currently, in-depth negotiations are underway with these suppliers to discuss the proposed conditions for the implementation of the nuclear power plant construction project.
The meeting also discussed issues related to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, improving the regulatory framework for the construction of nuclear power plants, the issue of training personnel for nuclear energy, and the draft Concept and Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On radioactive waste management".
Following the meeting, members of the Public Council expressed their readiness to participate in outreach work in preparation for the referendum on the construction of nuclear power plants in Kazakhstan.
As previously stated by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan will submit to a referendum the issue of building a nuclear power plant in the country. He noted that the development of nuclear power is a particularly important economic and political issue.
Kazakhstan ranks second in the world in terms of proven reserves of natural uranium. About 14 percent of all proven world reserves are concentrated in the depths of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The country's total proven reserves are estimated at more than 700,000 tons of uranium.
In 2009, Kazakhstan came out on top in terms of uranium mining in the world and continues to maintain its leading position in the world market. Kazakhstan produces about 40 percent of the world's uranium production. In 2021, the volume of uranium production amounted to 21,800 tons, according to the results of 2022—21,300 tons.
