Kazakhstan is negotiating with potential suppliers on the construction of a second nuclear power plant

Gumar Sergazin, Vice Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency of Kazakhstan, stated at the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Kazakhstan is currently engaged in active negotiations with potential suppliers regarding the construction of the country's second nuclear power plant.

In his remarks, Sergazin emphasized that within the framework of implementing the national nuclear energy program, Kazakhstan is not only preparing for the construction of its first nuclear power plant, but is also consulting with potential partners on preparations for a second nuclear power plant.

Sergazin noted that Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved in April 2026 the national strategy for the development of the atomic energy industry through 2050, which constitutes the core foundation for creating a modern nuclear industry cluster.

According to this development strategy, the cluster will, under the impetus of the national nuclear program, deeply integrate multiple key areas including energy, industry, science, education, and high-tech production.

As for the first nuclear power plant, Kazakhstan has named it the "Balkhash" Nuclear Power Plant. The project is located along the shores of the lake of the same name in the southern part of the country, with Rosatom serving as the leader of the construction consortium.

At the recently concluded Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), Rosatom and "Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants" company officially signed an engineering contract on September 3 to construct the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant, which will comprise two units with a total installed capacity of 2,400 MW.

The project is located near the village of Ulken in Almaty Region, with construction expected to officially begin in 2027 and the plant planned to be completed and put into operation in 2037.

The second nuclear power plant planned for construction will be named "Moyynkum," with a site proposed near the first nuclear power plant. Chinese companies were previously considered as potential partners, but no specific construction agreement has yet been officially announced. In addition, the site for Kazakhstan's planned third nuclear power plant has not yet been made public.