Kazakhstan and Russia are «heading toward joint resolutions» on constructing a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan, as reported by the Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency, citing Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev.
«Based on what the heads of our cabinets [Olzhas Bektenov and Mikhail Mishustin] discussed, I think it is safe to say that we are heading toward joint resolutions,» Likhachev said, commenting on Rosatom’s potential participation in Kazakhstan’s NPP project.
He highlighted that both parties have already been «actively working and cooperating.» Likhachev also noted that Kazakhstan has strong expertise in nuclear technologies and is a leading uranium producer. According to him, the country «is exploring the subject with great proficiency» and engaging with multiple vendors.
Rosatom CEO added that a delegation of Kazakhstani officials recently visited the Leningrad NPP in Saint Petersburg, where they carefully examined Russian nuclear technologies and its nuclear energy infrastructure.
Summarizing, Likhachev reaffirmed Rosatom’s readiness to take part in construction of the NPP in Kazakhstan. «We will work here with great pleasure,» he said.
Previously, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that Kazakhstan’s first NPP should be constructed by an international consortium. There are four potential nuclear technology suppliers in the shortlist of the project: Russian Rosatom, Chinese CNNC, South Korean KHNP and French EDF. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has pledged to select a vendor by June.
