ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 6. The development of nuclear energy can ensure the sustainability of Kazakhstan's energy system, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov said during familiarization with the work of a bearing plant in the monocity of Stepnogorsk, Trend reports.
“Stable energy supply is important for the development of industry and the commissioning of new enterprises. At the moment we consume more than we produce, so we have to buy energy. This deficit, taking into account the growing needs, will constantly grow from year to year. That is why we need reliable sources of electricity. When they say that we can develop alternative sources - solar, water, wind - we will do this too, but they will not provide the necessary stability, they can only become additional sources. The development of nuclear energy can ensure the stability of the energy system. Besides, we have our raw materials, we have personnel,” he said.
In turn, Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev reported that modern nuclear power plants are built with all the bells and whistles when it comes to safety measures.
To note, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, stated on September 1, 2023, that a referendum would be held in the country in connection with the construction of a nuclear power plant.
Afterward, Kazakhstan laid out a list of companies that are throwing their hat in the ring to provide technology for the country's inaugural nuclear power plant. These are China's CNNC with the HPR-1000 reactor, South Korea's KHNP with the APR-1400 reactor, France's EDF with the EPR-1200 reactor, and Russia's Rosatom with the VVER-1200 and VVER-1000 reactors.
Tokayev, addressing a joint session of the chambers of parliament with his annual message to the nation on September 2, 2024, stated that a national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan will be held on October 6 this year.