The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan announced that the construction of a nuclear power plant is currently planned with the help of foreign loans, while funding from the National Fund, the Unified National Pension Fund (ENPF), or the republican budget is not envisaged, Sputnik Kazakhstan reports.
"Currently, suppliers are offering various options for financing the nuclear power plant construction project, including export credit and funding from international financial institutions. The final decision on the financing mechanism will be determined after negotiations with potential suppliers are completed," the ministry stated.
The profitability of the construction will depend on various factors, such as construction costs, electricity tariffs, operating expenses, and energy production volumes.
A final decision by the authorities on the construction and operation of nuclear power plants is expected in 2025. Kazakhstan will be the general operator of the international consortium tasked with building and operating the nuclear power plant. The shortlist of candidates for construction includes the French company EDF, China's CNNC, South Korea's KHNP, and the Russian state corporation Rosatom.
A referendum on the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan was held on October 6, 2024. According to the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan, 71.12% of voters supported the project.
CentralasianLIGHT.org,
January 22, 2025