Kazakhstan's authorities are willing to engage in negotiations with the French company EDF regarding the potential construction of a nuclear power plant if the company expresses interest in the matter. This was announced by the Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan, Almasadam Satkaliev, TASS reports.
"EDF is on the shortlist of companies that have previously been considered potential vendors for the construction of a nuclear power plant. In the event of the French side initiating negotiations on participation, we are ready to conduct these negotiations and address all their questions," Satkaliev said, responding to questions about the agenda of the talks during the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Kazakhstan.
During the negotiations, the Ministry also plans to discuss cooperation with Total Energies on the construction of a wind farm, the interaction of the Kazakh company "Kazatomprom" with the French company Orano, and other matters, the minister added.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed in his address to the people of Kazakhstan on September 1 that the question of building a nuclear power plant be put to a nationwide referendum. In his opinion, it is necessary to continue public hearings and comprehensive, extensive discussions on this matter.
Earlier, the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan reported that, following studies, the most preferable location for the construction of a nuclear power plant is the territory near the village of Ulken Zhambyl in the Almaty region. Currently, the authorities are considering several potential suppliers of nuclear technologies, including the Chinese company CNNC, the South Korean KHNP, Rosatom, and the French company EDF.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
November 1, 2023