A referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant will be held in Kazakhstan this fall, announced President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
"Economic development is impossible without stable energy supply. Therefore, I have instructed to explore the issue of building a nuclear power plant. The final decision on this matter will be made by the people. The referendum will take place this fall. The government will determine the exact date," said the President of Kazakhstan.
In June 2022, the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan announced that the nuclear power plant is planned to be built on the shores of Lake Balkhash in the village of Ulken, Almaty region, since large volumes of water are required to cool the reactor.
It is known that the construction of the nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is planned for 2025. The primary argument for the construction is the country's large uranium reserves.
On September 1, 2023, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed putting the issue of building a nuclear power plant to a national referendum.
Prior to this, environmental activists had raised the issue that a nuclear power plant should not be built without considering the opinions of citizens.
Later, at the 15th Eurasian Forum KazEnergy, Minister of Energy Almasadam Satkaliyev said that several options for building the nuclear plant are being considered and a list of four participating companies from France, China, Russia, and Korea has been formed.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
June 27, 2024