How many nuclear power plants does Kazakhstan need?
The head of the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, Almasadam Satkaliev, named the number of nuclear power plants required for the country. He spoke about this in an interview on November 27. The minister explained the advantages of Rosatom technologies.
The development of the nuclear industry will give Kazakhstan many advantages, including the creation of new production facilities and jobs, increasing the competence of personnel, and the production of high-quality products, the head of the country’s Ministry of Energy, Almasadam Satkaliev, said in an interview with the “I Love” project. According to him, Kazakhstan is already creating products in this area that are in high demand for export.
“Kazakhstan needs at least three nuclear power plants - in the south, north and west regions, which will provide long-term, reliable, basic low-carbon energy. I believe that achieving carbon neutrality goals without nuclear energy is impossible... If we have a referendum in favor of building a nuclear power plant, then the current management has all the qualifications to build a reliable, high-quality nuclear power plant,” the minister noted.
Satkaliev emphasized that Russian nuclear technologies are objectively one of the best in the world. He added that Rosatom is not under sanctions and will not be under them, since the company plays a large role in the international energy market. According to the minister, Rosatom is building the largest number of reactors abroad, which is many times more than that of other companies.
“All technologies have pros and cons. Our concept was that we would not build a Russian plant, but an international project. We'll look at how to maximize it in terms of efficiency. That is, take the best nuclear island, turbine equipment, automation, engineering,” the head of the department emphasized.
Earlier, Satkaliev already spoke about the advantages of Russian nuclear technologies, pointing out their safety and efficiency. In turn, Rosatom said that they would offer Kazakhstan a project of a two-unit nuclear power plant, like in Belarus and Russia, if the republic decides to build a nuclear power plant. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that Astana appreciates the assistance offered by the Russian side in the construction of a nuclear power plant. According to the survey, the Russian company is a leader among other nuclear technology suppliers.
Let us recall that in September the President of Kazakhstan proposed holding a referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant. The Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants company stated that the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan will cost up to $15 billion and will be completed by 2034. At the same time, the company noted that the operation of the nuclear power plant will not threaten the environmental safety of Lake Balkhash. The government of Kazakhstan emphasized that if the nuclear power plant is built, the country will receive additional opportunities for the development of the country's economy.