Frequently asked questions about Nuclear Power Plants

In Kazakhstan, the construction of next-generation nuclear power plants is being considered, featuring the most advanced technologies to meet the highest global safety standards. The international experience with these types of plants indicates that there are no significant risks.

The construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is regarded as a crucial step towards achieving energy independence and security. The project on the shore of Lake Balkhash is aimed at preventing energy shortages in several regions of the country and reducing dependence on imports. The nuclear power plant will ensure stable electricity prices and help achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This aligns with the country's interests and Kazakhstan's international commitments.

According to established international practice, the construction of nuclear power plants is overseen by reputable international organisations such as the IAEA and WANO, ensuring adherence to the highest safety standards and minimising corruption risks.

The selection of a contractor for the construction of the nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan will be based on economic feasibility, technological reliability, environmental safety, and compliance with international standards. The project will promote the development of the national nuclear energy sector and create jobs. This is a commercial matter rather than a political one, and the chosen company or group of companies will be responsible only for the construction, not the operation of the plant.

Kazakhstan has both scientific institutes and highly qualified specialists. At the same time, active training of personnel for NPP operation continues. To date, training of personnel for the nuclear industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan is carried out in Kazakhstani universities on the basis of 5 educational and two-diploma programmes (Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Power Engineering, Theoretical Nuclear Physics). Along with this, Kazakhstan develops scientific and educational base with foreign partners. A number of documents have been signed with France, Russia and Hungary to exchange experience and improve human resources potential.

According to global practice, on average, the construction of a NPP with two units will employ up to 8,000 people, while the NPP operation phase requires about 2,000 people with higher and secondary specialised education. At the same time, plant employees with education in nuclear specialities will account for about 20% of the total personnel.

Kazakhstan is actively developing renewable energy sources, the efficiency of which depends on a combination of different factors. The stability of the energy system requires reliable permanent baseload sources, such as coal-fired and nuclear power plants. The construction of nuclear power plants is a reliable way to reduce electricity shortages, curb tariff increases, improve the environment and ensure energy independence, as the impact of coal-fired plants on the environment and human health is negative. Nuclear power is the optimal choice in terms of all parameters, including the cost of electricity.

In addition, nuclear power helps to reduce dependence on fuel imports, which helps to keep electricity prices under control. In the long term, NPP operating costs are relatively low, which also helps stabilize tariffs.

The choice of the construction site near Lake Balkhash has been under consideration since Soviet times and has now taken place in co-operation and consultation with major international organizations. The southern region is one of the largest consumers of electricity in the country, but remains deficient in its own generation capacity.

The construction of a nuclear power plant in the Almaty region will reduce this deficit, ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply to the region. This, in turn, will contribute to the development of industry, infrastructure and improve the quality of life of the population.

In autumn 2023, IAEA experts once again confirmed that there are no factors preventing the construction of NPP near Lake Balkhash.

Because of the impact of coal and gas plants on the environment and the health of the population, taking into account the growth of consumption, wear and tear of old plants and regularly imposed international restrictions on coal and gas sources, there is a critical need to introduce new solutions. In addition, the instability of renewable energy sources does not allow them to be considered as basic energy sources, which is confirmed by the experience of many countries, where reliance on renewable energy sources has led to a decrease in industrial growth and economic problems. Nuclear power is seen as a stable and "green" option for reliable in quality and favourable in price energy supply. In the context of global trends and the example of neighbouring countries such as Uzbekistan, the construction of NPPs becomes relevant for Kazakhstan to avoid dependence and lagging behind in energy development.

Kazakhstan ranks second in the world in terms of uranium reserves, about 14% of the total. Since 2009, we have become the world leader in uranium mining and produce about 40% of the world's production. The country has more than 900,000 tonnes of uranium, which provides fuel for many years to come, and modern reprocessing technologies make it possible to reuse spent nuclear fuel.

That is why international experts have long wondered why, with such reserves and scientific potential, Kazakhstan has not yet built a nuclear power plant.

A nuclear power plant with a capacity of 1 gigawatt is capable of providing electricity to a city with a population of 1 - 1.5 million people, generating approximately 50 cubic meters of radioactive waste. At the same time, a CHP plant with the same capacity will generate waste in the amount of 200 - 300 thousand tons. Thus, nuclear power plants produce significantly less waste compared to coal-fired plants, which makes them a more environmentally friendly source of energy. It is important to note that unlike coal-fired power plants, nuclear power plants do not emit waste into the air, which significantly reduces emissions of harmful substances such as carbon dioxide and particulate matter.

Waste from nuclear power plants can either be stored or recycled, depending on their type and technology. For example, spent nuclear fuel is not considered waste, as it can be reused as an energy source.

In the future, special reactors will be able to destroy especially dangerous radioactive elements, which will make waste less dangerous. Perhaps thermonuclear fusion technologies will be used for this.

Thus, the waste will be processed and stored according to international standards, which minimizes risks to the environment and human health. Kazakhstan has extensive experience in working with nuclear materials and will comply with all safety measures.

The probability of an accident at a modern NPP is less than one in 10 million years, unlike coal-fired plants, where the risk is 80 times higher. Modern NPPs have containments to prevent radiation leaks. The expected environmental and health impacts will be much lower than the established norms, so the operation of NPP will not have a negative impact on nature and people, which is proved by continuous studies and observations of the population living near NPPs in different regions of the world.

The construction of NPPs in Kazakhstan will create a solid basis for Kazakhstan's energy security and independence, a serious foundation for the country's advancement to a new industrial and technological level. Moreover, "green" nuclear energy will allow our business to confidently enter foreign markets without fear of significant penalties for the use of "dirty" energy, which would significantly reduce the competitiveness of our industrial potential. All this will bring multiplier effect, create jobs, improve infrastructure, reduce emissions and ensure stable electricity prices. The NPP will also contribute to the intensive development of the region, its infrastructure, including the construction of roads, schools and hospitals.

The location of the NPP is determined by the shortage of electricity in the region. Like coal-fired plants, NPP require water for cooling, which is planned to be taken from Balkhash lake. Around NPP, favourable conditions are often created that do not interfere with everyday life; for example, cooling ponds are used for fish farming and fishing tournaments, as at the NPPs in Taiwan, Monticello and Duke Energy in the USA. At the same time, the NPP will not discharge spent water into Lake Balkhash. The cooling water that will come from Balkhash will be only 0.32 per cent of the lake's natural evaporation. The water used at the NPP will not come into direct contact with the reactor.

Kazakhstan reviewed technical and commercial technology proposals from 6 global nuclear technology suppliers, including small modular reactors from the American company Nuscale Power (Nuscale reactor) and the American-Japanese company General Electric-Hitachi (BWRX-300 reactor). There were no other offers from Japanese companies.

For the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, preference is given to already proven reactors with positive operational experience. The shortlist of potential suppliers includes CNNC (PRC, HPR-1000 reactor), Rosatom State Corporation (RF, VVER-1200 reactor), KHNP (South Korea, APR-1400, APR-1000 reactors) and EDF (France, EPR reactor-1200).

At the same time, it should be noted that small modular reactors are currently not reference reactors, i.e. they do not have operational experience. Unlike high-power reactors, most promising low-power reactors are at the stage of obtaining regulatory approval for the design or in the licensing process to obtain a construction permit. The nearest date of commissioning of the first such reactors is expected no earlier than 2030.

Therefore, these small modular reactors were excluded from the list of potential suppliers.