Kazakhstan’s energy deficit Sparks nuclear power pressure

Kazakhstan has settled in a location for the construction of the country’s first nuclear reactor. The next big question is who builds it?

The selected location is the village of Ulken, which is located on the banks of Lake Balkhash and almost 300 miles northeast of Kazakhstan’s commercial capital Almaty. “The Balkhash location is very promising” told journalists At a briefing on February 26th. “The relevant hearings were held there, but the exact location is determined according to engineering surveys. They are already carried out. If potential providers make a proposal to use another website, we will of course consider this. However, the final decision is made after the completion of engineering surveys. “

Satkaliyev added that Kazakhstan wants to build three reactors in the medium term. In a great political speech in January Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in January warned an growing “energy feder” and called for a nuclear power “cluster” to ensure that the country can remain on a stable economic growth path.

Kazakh officials have explained that they will be awarded the construction application for the Ulken facility by the end of 2025. The four companies are currently in the course of: Russia’s rosatom; China’s National Nuclear Corp.; France’s Edf; And (south) Korea Hydro and nuclear power.

Kazakh delegations have visited all four countries in the past few months to check the bidders’ suggestions. The most recent presentation by pink hiders took place at the end of January after one Statement by the Ministry of Energy. The contract decision will not only be based on financial considerations, but also the “national interests of Kazakhstan, international norms and obligations”, added the explanation.

Observers in Kazakhstan generally believe that Rosatom has the Inside route to secure the contract. In the past few days, however, there have been signs that a bidder from the USA could try to go to the Tender competition, if not for the Ulken project, perhaps for other planned reactors.

During a recent one Conversation Between US Foreign Minister Marco Rubio and Uzbek Secretary of State Bakhtiyor Saidov, Rubio Washington wish to “examine opportunities for investments in … US core energy technologies” in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is like Kazakhstan intends to build nuclear power plants. Kyrgyzstan has also expressed interest in the development of nuclear energy. In mid -2024, Uzbekistan signed an agreement With Russia to build a nuclear reactor with low performance with a generation capacity of 55 megawatts. However, the Uzbek authorities intend to add more nuclear facilities with low performance in the future.

Rubios statements during his discussion with Saidov signal a US intention to compete with rosatoma in Central Asia – not only in Uzbekistan, but also in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Usbek officials have already shown an openness to the formation of an international consortium in order to build a reactor “as efficient as possible and with the best technologies” that Gasceta.uz Outlet quoted Azim Akhmedkhadzhayev, the head of Uzbekistan’s Atomic Energy Agency.

From Eurasianet.org

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