Photo via cool-readers.ru
Almasadam Satkaliyev, head of Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency, has identified potential sites for the construction of the country’s third nuclear power plant, reports news agency Kazinform.
According to Satkaliyev, preliminary assessments identified East Kazakhstan—specifically the town of Kurchatov—and West Kazakhstan as the most promising locations.
“West Kazakhstan has unique experience operating a nuclear reactor. Kurchatov is a nuclear hub. All necessary competencies are in place,” the agency head stated during a meeting of the Kurultai Committee on Economic Policy, Industry, and Energy.
When selecting reactor technology, officials are considering medium-capacity plants ranging from 300 to 600 MW. In addition to electricity generation, these facilities could provide district heating and seawater desalination.
In September, a contract was signed to build Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, Balkhash. The deal was struck between Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP and Atomstroyexport JSC, a subsidiary of Russia’s state corporation Rosatom. The debut plant will be built near the village of Ulken in the Almaty Region.
The site for the second plant (tentatively named “Moiynkum”) is also slated for the south of the country, in the Zhambyl District of the Almaty Region. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is viewed as the preferred contractor for the project. CNNC is also expected to construct the third plant, although no official decision has been finalized.
