Kazakhstan and the Russian state corporation Rosatom have approved an indicative roadmap for the implementation of the country's first nuclear power plant (NPP) project. On 20 June, the press service of the Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency announced this.
The document was signed by the head of the agency, Almasadam Satkaliyev, and the Director General of Rosatom, Alexei Likhachev. The roadmap covers the key stages of the project: from engineering surveys and the signing of an EPC contract (a turnkey format) to the development of design documentation.
Additionally, the parties signed a framework agreement between Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP and Atomstroyexport JSC, Rosatom's engineering division. The document defines the general principles of cooperation for the construction of the plant in the Zhambyl District of the Almaty Region.
"We value the trust placed by the Kazakh side in leading the international consortium. Kazakhstan is our historically reliable partner in the nuclear industry," commented Alexei Likhachev, emphasising that Russian technologies have proven themselves to be reliable and safe.
For its part, the Kazakh side also expressed satisfaction with the agreements reached.
"The construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the country's energy sector. We count on close and transparent interaction with partners to ensure a high level of safety and localisation of production," Almasadam Satkaliyev commented on the event.
The head of the Atomic Energy Agency also noted that the construction of a second NPP in Kazakhstan will most likely be carried out with the participation of China's CNNC.
Earlier, the Minister of Energy stated that the construction of at least three NPPs is planned in Kazakhstan to form a nuclear cluster. According to him, the choice of sites will depend on the overall layout plan and the power grid configuration.