Kazakhstan thinks about its second nuclear power plant

According to Zhandos Nurmagambetov, deputy minister of energy in Kazakhstan, the country may start the construction of its second nuclear power plant (NPP) right after the start of construction of the first one.

The official noted that the agency and experts are actively discussing how many NPP Kazakhstan should have. Given the country’s intention to reach carbon neutrality, there are no other options except NPP.

«The second nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan will likely be built in the vicinity of the town of Kurchatov on the bank of the Irtysh River,» the Interfax news agency cited the official.

Nurmagambetov believes this place is a good option from a technical point of view.

The idea of the construction of an NPP had been discussed for years in Kazakhstan. In December 2021, Ex-President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced that the government made its final decision and chose a site in the Almaty region where the country’s first NPP is going to be built.

Minister of Energy Bolat Akchulakov said earlier this year that the government is searching for the best technology and is going to finish this process by the end of the year.