Kazakhstan has chosen a working name for its second nuclear power plant — the «Moyynkum» NPP. Like the first plant, it is planned to be located near Lake Balkhash. This was announced by Atomic Energy Agency CEO Almasadam Satkaliyev.
As he noted, three possible construction sites are currently being considered. The plant is expected to consist of two power units, each with a capacity of 1,200 MW. Authorities are also negotiating with potential technology suppliers.
Satkaliyev added that the Chinese company CNPC is being considered as a priority partner for the construction of the second NPP.
Kazakhstan has already announced the parameters of its first NPP, which will also be built on Lake Balkhash by Russia’s Rosatom, the leader of the international consortium for this project. The plant’s capacity will be 2.4 gigawatts, consisting of two VVER-1200 reactor units.
Construction of the first plant could be completed in 2035 or 2036. Its cost is estimated at $15 billion, although the government has not ruled out cost increases as the project progresses.
Preparatory work has already begun. In August 2025, Rosatom specialists started drilling an exploratory well at a site near the village of Ulken in the Almaty region.
For the second and third nuclear power plants, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has been selected as the consortium leader. Other international companies may also participate in the project. France’s EDF, for example, has expressed interest in cooperation.
Overall, Kazakhstan has considered four companies as potential technology suppliers: CNNC, Rosatom, South Korea’s KHNP and EDF.
