Kazakhstan - World Nuclear Outlook Report

Projection of future nuclear capacity in Kazakhstan in 2050

Kazakhstan is the world's leading producer of uranium. Although it does not currently use nuclear energy, a Russian-designed BN-350 sodium-cooled fast reactor operated near Aktau for 26 years, until 1999.

In January 2024, the government revealed an action plan aiming for nuclear energy to comprise 5% of the national generation mix by 2035.²¹¹ A public referendum held in October 2024 saw 71% of people support construction of a nuclear power plant.

New capacity

Large-scale reactors

Russia's Rosatom has been selected as the leader of an international consortium to build Kazakhstan's first planned nuclear power.²¹² Engineering surveys are being undertaken near Ulken in the Almaty region. Two VVER-1200 units are planned.

In July 2025 the first deputy prime minister said that CNNC would build the country’s second and third nuclear plants.²¹³

Small-scale reactors

Kazakhstan is looking into deploying SMRs. In December 2021 NuScale Power and national nuclear company KNPP signed a memorandum of understanding on exploring the possibility of deploying NuScale VOYGR plants in Kazakhstan²¹⁴