Kazakhstan may opt for China over Russia to build its first nuclear power plant, after receiving a significantly more affordable proposal from the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). According to Kursiv, CNNC has offered to construct two nuclear power units with a combined capacity of 2.4 gigawatts for $5.47 billion—less than half the estimate previously provided by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy.
The Ministry had initially projected the project would cost between $10 billion and $15 billion. In late 2024, First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar warned that rising prices for materials and services could push the total cost up by as much as 50%.
In late May, Dong Baotong, head of China’s National Nuclear Safety Administration, met with Almassadam Satkaliyev, representative of Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency, to discuss the Chinese proposal. CNNC also expressed readiness to share nuclear technologies and allow Kazakhstan full control over the nuclear fuel cycle—a critical factor for ensuring long-term energy independence.
Following the meeting, Kazakh officials showed interest in learning from China’s expertise in nuclear and water-ecological safety throughout the entire lifecycle of the nuclear power plant (NPP) project.
Kazakhstan’s decision to move forward with nuclear energy was endorsed by a national referendum on October 6, 2024, in which 71.12% voted in favor and 26.15% opposed.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has confirmed that the country aims to commission its first nuclear power plant by 2035. The facility is planned for Ulken village, in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region, near Lake Balkhash. As part of its long-term energy strategy, Kazakhstan envisions the construction of at least three large-scale nuclear power plants.
To ensure adherence to the highest safety standards and prevent corruption, the project will be overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).