World’s largest uranium supplier Kazatomprom and one of Japan’s largest electric utilities, Kansai Electric Power Company, have agreed on supplies of Kazakhstani uranium to Japan’s nuclear power plants, Kazatomprom said in a statement.
According to the statement, the agreement is important for Japan as the country gradually resumes nuclear energy in its power balance, and it is expected to secure stable and long-term fuel deliveries for its nuclear power plants.
The official signing took place during the visit of the Kazakhstani delegation, headed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Japan from Dec. 18 to 20, within the Central Asia + Japan (C5+1) Dialogue.
«This agreement marks a new milestone in our relations with Japan,» stated Meirzhan Yussupov, CEO of Kazatomprom.
According to him, cooperation with Kansai helps maintain Japan’s power grid sustainability amid the country’s gradual return to nuclear energy and highlights Kazatomprom’s reputation as a reliable uranium supplier in the global market. Yussupov also emphasized the contribution of nuclear energy to achieving global goals for reducing harmful emissions.
In turn, Kansai Electric Power highlighted that operating with a trusted partner is a crucial element in the company’s strategy to maintain stable and safe energy delivery for the Kansai region.
Kansai Electric Power is one of Japan’s leading energy companies. It operates seven nuclear reactors at three nuclear power plants: Mihama, Takahama and Ohi. It is noted that, after restarting in accordance with updated safety requirements, the company’s nuclear power generation has once again become an important source of stable and low-carbon electricity for Japan.
Kansai has been cooperating with Kazatomprom since 2006. The companies are partners in a joint venture, APPAK, in the Turkestan region. The shares in the project are distributed as follows: 65% for Kazatomprom, 25% for Sumitomo, and 10% for Kansai.
Kazatomprom is the world’s largest uranium producer. At the end of 2024, the company accounted for about 21% of global primary uranium production. All of the group’s mining assets are in Kazakhstan. The company’s securities trade on the London Stock Exchange and the Astana International Exchange.
