Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency assumes control of NPP operator

Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants (KNPP), LLP — a state-owned company under the Samruk-Kazyna holding — has been transferred to the trust management of the Atomic Energy Agency (AEA).

«By Presidential Decree No. 861, dated April 28, 2025, the Limited Liability Partnership ‘Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants’ has been designated as a subordinate organization of the Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan. To expedite the partnership’s activities and accelerate the implementation of the nuclear power plant (NPP) construction project, a trust management agreement has been concluded with the agency,» the AEA said in a statement.

While Samruk-Kazyna remains the sole (100%) owner of KNPP, the AEA will oversee the company, assuming responsibility for all key strategic and operational decisions.

«At the same time, preparations are underway to transfer KNPP’s equity to full state ownership, after which it will be officially assigned to the agency,» the statement added.

Under Kazakhstan’s nuclear development structure, KNPP is designated as the operator for all future NPPs in the country. So far, the government has indicated plans to construct two or three such plants.

The first planned NPP, with a capacity of 2.4 gigawatts, is expected to be built near Lake Balkhash by an international consortium led by Russia’s state-owned Rosatom. A second plant is slated to be constructed by China’s nuclear energy giant CNNC.