IAEA backs Kazakhstan’s plan for new nuclear power plants
Green light from IAEA strengthens Kazakhstan’s nuclear ambitions as authorities plan network of plants to cut reliance on fossil fuels
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has approved a site near Kurchatov, in eastern Kazakhstan’s Abai region, as suitable for the potential construction of a nuclear power plant, marking another step in the country’s push to diversify its energy mix.
According to The Times of Central Asia, the site assessment was confirmed by Almasadam Satkaliyev, head of Kazakhstan’s national energy company, during a parliamentary session. He stressed that no construction can proceed without local consent and mandatory reviews by government agencies and international experts.
The move comes less than a year after Kazakhstan held a national referendum on nuclear power, in which more than 70 percent of voters supported the development of nuclear energy. Following the vote, authorities selected Russia’s Rosatom to build the country’s first nuclear plant near Lake Balkhash, in the Almaty region, where construction is already under way.
Kazakhstan, the world’s largest uranium producer, is now considering additional facilities as part of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s plan to develop a network of two to three nuclear plants nationwide.
China’s National Nuclear Corporation has been tapped as a future partner, with possible sites under review in both eastern and western Kazakhstan. Options include Kurchatov, located close to the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, and the Mangystau region on the Caspian Sea coast.
Officials say the Caspian coast could host small or medium modular reactors, pending studies of seismic activity, water availability, and environmental impact. Another site under consideration is the Zhambyl district in southern Kazakhstan, where energy shortages remain acute and new generation capacity is urgently needed.
While the Kurchatov site has received IAEA approval, Satkaliyev underscored that public hearings and transparent consultation will be mandatory before any construction decision. He expressed support for modular reactors in the Abai region, arguing they pose fewer risks and can help stabilize regional energy supply.
Kazakhstan has also announced plans to establish “nuclear science cities” in Almaty and Kurchatov to advance research, nuclear medicine, and workforce training.
Analysts say the country’s nuclear expansion reflects both domestic needs — driven by rising demand and grid imbalances — and broader ambitions to secure energy security while meeting climate commitments.
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