Negotiations are underway: competition for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is heating up.

The head of the Ministry of Energy, Almasadam Satkaliyev, has returned from a working visit to China. During his time in the PRC, he discussed the prospects for constructing a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. Previously, France, South Korea, and Russia had all expressed interest in participating in the project. Currently, there is an active negotiation process underway for the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, according to Orda.kz.

2024-12-14 07:30:07https://orda.kz/torg-umesten-za-stroitelstvo-ajes-v-kazahstane-idet-sopernichestvo-395699/

“The Chinese side has expressed a high degree of readiness to support Kazakhstan in the implementation of the nuclear power plant construction project. Almasadam Satkaliev also held talks with a potential supplier of nuclear technology, who made it to the 'shortlist', the general director of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC),” the ministry reported.

The Kazakh delegation studied the Chinese experience at the under-construction Zhangzhou nuclear power plant, the uranium conversion and enrichment plant, and the facilities of Shanghai Electric Corporation.

It may seem that Almasadam Satkaliev's visit to China indicates the presence of certain agreements. However, the energy minister had previously visited South Korea to assess the potential of the contractor KHNP. Both France and Russia have shown clear interest in the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.

Political analyst Gaziz Abishev notes in his Telegram channel that several countries are currently competing for a position in the international consortium that will build Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant. It is no coincidence that both Vladimir Putin and Valentina Matviyenko promoted the 'Rosatom' corporation during their visits to Astana.

Kazakhstan, in turn, is demonstrating its assets: it is proving to be a reliable platform for implementing the most advanced technologies in the nuclear sector.

“Meanwhile, Energy Minister Satkaliev has visited South Korea, France, and now China in recent weeks. He is discussing the 'nuclear issue.' This activity in all directions is also a form of negotiation. So that all participants in the competition understand that they are not the only ones in the market. And they offer the most acceptable conditions for Kazakhstan. Folders with specific proposals from competitors are strong arguments in a calm, constructive, and depoliticized discussion with a potential vendor.” — summarized Gaziz Abishev.

For more details on how the construction of the nuclear power plant may impact the development of “green energy” in Kazakhstan, read the link.