Public hearings on the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan have begun in Almaty.
For context, at the end of June Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that a referendum on the construction of an NPP in Kazakhstan would take place in the autumn of this year, with the exact date to be determined by the government.
The President has repeatedly noted that the construction of a nuclear power plant is a particularly important economic and political issue. The Head of State assured that the final decision on the construction of the NPP would be up to the people.
According to Kursiv.Media, experts spoke at the hearing in Almaty, but many were repeatedly interrupted. One activist even came with a placard reading "The people of the Republic of Kazakhstan are against the referendum on the NPP".
The organisers asked attendees to ask questions at the end of the meeting and not to cause provocations, but at one point a woman came out and began an altercation with an energy sector expert.
She demanded in a raised voice that the microphone be given to those speaking against the construction of the NPP. Some participants at the hearing even asked for the police to be called.
Also speaking against the construction of the NPP at the hearing was former head of KEGOC, Asset Nauryzbayev. He described it not as public discussion, but as "agitation".
For context, in August 2023, public hearings on the construction of an NPP at Lake Balkhash also took place in the village of Ulken in the Almaty region, but no decisions could be reached due to scuffles started by event participants.
In August of this year, public discussions on the construction of an NPP in Kazakhstan were held in Semey. Meeting participants discussed plans and prospects for the development of nuclear energy in the country, as well as issues of safety, environmental friendliness and economic efficiency of NPP construction.
The key issues of public interest were the financing of NPP construction, the disposal process for used water and waste from the nuclear power plant, and the availability of competent specialists for its maintenance. The Ministry of Energy noted that experts provided detailed explanations on all topics.